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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Connecting Unstably Housed Veterans Living in Rural Areas to Health Care: Perspectives From Health Care Navigators
Highlights a study of VA healthcare navigators (HCNs) effectiveness in helping rural veterans experiencing housing instability access healthcare services. Explores interpersonal, intrapersonal, and community-level barriers and facilitators to HCN services.
Author(s): Kalea Jones, Meagan Cusack, Gala True, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14316
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Differential Effects of a Social Work Staffing Intervention on Social Work Access Among Rural and Highly Rural Veterans: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the efficacy of a VA program to expand access of social work services to rural veterans. Draws data from VA sites that participated in the program from October 2016 to September 2021. Compares social worker utilization by rural and urban veterans and breaks down data by age, race, and reason for visit, among other factors.
Author(s): Andrew N. Honken, Christopher W. Halladay, Lisa E. Wootton, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14327
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Understanding the Impact of Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on Cancer Control in Rural Communities: A Qualitative Study
Explores the perceptions of 23 healthcare providers on factors impacting rural patients' access to care and the associated impacts on providers' approach to cancer screening and prevention recommendations. Discusses the impact of both patient and provider trust on information-gathering and care coordination.
Author(s): Alee Lockman, Mariam Krikorian Atkinson, Keelin McGee, Tenille Oderwald, James McGee
Citation: SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 6, 100452
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Offerings
Offers an overview of Medicare Advantage plan availability across the country for 2025. Discusses how many plans are available, who is offering plans, and costs. Offers data for metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas as well as county-level data.
Author(s): Meredith Freed, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Anthony Damico, Tricia Neuman
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Access to Maternity Care: Challenges and Solutions For Improving Equity Across US Communities
Examines access issues related to maternity care in the U.S., with a focus on disparities seen in racial minorities and rural areas. Discusses impacts of obstetric facility closures and the importance of policy and funding to support maternal health equity.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannila, Julia D. Interrantea, Alecia J. McGregor
Citation: Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Advancing Health Equity in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities: FY2024 Year in Review
Summarizes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) activities in fiscal year 2024 to advance health equity for people living in rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities. Covers six priority focus areas: applying a community-informed geographic lens; increasing the collection and use of standardized data; strengthening and supporting healthcare professionals; optimizing medical and communication technology; expanding access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, benefits, and services and supports; and driving innovation and value-based care.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Future Directions for Rural Population Research: Findings from RPRN's Listening Sessions
Summarizes 5 listening sessions with rural development practitioners aiming to identify areas of research need by rural population researchers. Discusses trends in agriculture and food systems, community and economic development, the environment and natural resources, and health, healthcare, and disability services. Offers recommendations related to information sharing, community involvement in research, data gathering, and best practices and evaluation.
Author(s): Kristina Brant, Paige, Kelly, Danielle Rhubart, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Tele-Collaborative Outreach to Rural Patients with Chronic Pain: Pragmatic Effectiveness Trial Protocol for the CORPs Study
Presents a trial protocol to examine the effectiveness of the Tele-Collaborative Outreach to Rural Patients (CORPs), a remote collaborative care intervention to improve pain interference among rural veterans with high-impact chronic pain. The intervention will be delivered through Veterans Health Administration (VA) system and will include pain education, care coordination, and navigation support provided by a nurse care manager (NCM). Discusses program implementation, evaluation, and cost-effectiveness.
Author(s): Benjamin J Morasco, Ntassja Pal, Sarah S Ono, et al.
Citation: Pain Medicine, 25, S91-S98
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Bridging Gaps in Breast Cancer Screening: A Comparative Study of Mexican Women in U.S. Rural and Urban Areas
Examines factors influencing breast cancer screening disparities among 350 Mexican immigrant women aged 40+ in rural and urban communities. Compares rural and urban prevalence of barriers and facilitators to screening, including data on geographic and cultural factors.
Author(s): Venera Bekteshi, Mario Schootman
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 15
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Supply and Geographic Distribution of Geriatric Physicians and Geriatric Nurse Practitioners
Results of a study to explore trends in the supply of geriatric physicians (GMDs) and geriatric nurse practitioners (GNPs) from 2010 to 2020, and disparities between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Features county-level maps showing geographic trends in older adults, GMDs, and GNPs among U.S. counties in 2010 and 2020, and statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties.
Author(s): Ying Xue, Lusine Poghosyan, Qinyun Lin
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(11), e2444659
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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