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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by State: Washington

Federally Designated Health Professional Shortage Areas for Mental Care in Washington
Shows full or partial areas of counties designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in Washington.
Date: 06/2023
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
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How Regional Partnerships Bolster Rural Hospitals
Explores how Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural providers partner to overcome challenges. Profiles six regional partnerships that address staffing, quality improvement, contracts with payers, value-based payment, and community development. Offers lessons learned that could inform policy changes to strengthen rural providers.
Author(s): Martha Hostetter, Sarah Klein
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Federally Designated Health Professional Shortage Areas for Dental Care in Washington
Shows full or partial areas of counties designated as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in Washington.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
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Factors Associated with Lengths-of-Stay for Inpatients with Substance Use Disorders
Policy brief identifying factors associated with inpatient length-of-stay (LOS) for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) and exploring whether there are systematic differences in LOS for rural and urban residents. Includes statistics on characteristics of stays for a primary SUD diagnosis in Kentucky, North Carolina, Vermont, and Washington in 2018, with breakdowns by Mental Health Professional Shortage Area and rural or urban location, and selected factors on LOS for an SUD diagnosis, with breakdowns by mental diagnoses, chronic conditions, and socio-demographic measures.
Author(s): Curt Mueller, Craig Holden, Shena Popat, Alana Knudson
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Equity Research Center
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The Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative Handbook
Handbook explores Washington State's rural palliative care initiative. Details the structure of the program, the cohorts around the state, and the activities implemented by the program.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Office of Rural Health
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Listening to Riders and Providers: A Synthesis Report on NADTC's Focus Groups and Stakeholder Meetings
Summarizes findings from four focus groups exploring how perceptions of transportation users may be impacted by race, ethnicity, culture, or other personal characteristics. Presents findings from older adults, younger adults with disabilities, and caregivers. Also reports on stakeholder meetings with urban/suburban and rural stakeholders. Identifies lessons learned and next steps to inform transportation diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Factors Impacting Implementation of Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies in Rural Schools
Examines school policies and implementation related to nutrition and physical activity (PA) to understand the disproportionate rates of obesity in rural Latino children. Analyzes perceptions of policies and barriers from 20 interviews with stakeholders in Lower Yakima Valley of Eastern Washington State K-12 school districts. Discusses themes such as knowledge of school PA and nutrition policies as well as barriers and facilitators to policy implementation.
Author(s): Caryn Ausenhus, Joshua M. Gold, Cynthia K. Perry, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 23, 308
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
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Filling Behavioral Health Gaps in Rural Communities: A Unique Partnership in Washington State
Discusses a collaboration between a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) in Washington and state hospitals to accept patient transfers by utilizing swing beds to care for patients with complex behavioral health and social needs, such as substance use disorder, mental health, homelessness, and more. Includes data on swing bed admissions and information on incorporating behavioral health services into primary care.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Martha Hostetter
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The Commonwealth Fund
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Facing Unique Challenges, Rural Communities Find Unique Solutions to Protect Against Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Discusses the impact of wildfire smoke on health and describes efforts in rural Idaho, Nevada, and Washington to address air quality concerns.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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2022-2023 NW Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Public Report
Highlights programming done for the 2022-2023 year including trainings, technical assistance, and relationship building. Notes goals for the next year.
Date: 2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Northwest (Region 10) Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Collaborative
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