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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

December 2021 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) December 2021 meeting. Covers payment adequacy and updates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services and the mandated report on changes to the low-volume hospital payment adjustment, physician and other health professional services, ambulatory surgical center services, outpatient dialysis services, and hospice services. Highlights the effect of COVID-19 relief funding on rural hospital margins, rural hospital bypass, and rural hospice payment utilization, among other rural references.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Health Care Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Race and Social Determinants of Health among Adults Age ≥ 58 years in the REGARDS Study
Presents results of a survey of Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study participants about their experiences with SARS-CoV-2 testing and access to care. Presents data on COVID-19 testing, symptoms of COVID-19 without a diagnosis, and changes to access to care by participant characteristics, including rural and urban residence.
Author(s): Emily B. Levitan, Virginia J. Howard, Mary Cushman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Supporting Families in Region XI AIAN Head Start: Centers' Early Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Describes how Region XI Head Start children's centers adjusted their communications and services with families during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines the needs that families reported to center staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including food and nutrition services and healthcare related to COVID-19, and discusses how centers provided supports to meet these needs.
Author(s): Katie Gonzalez, Sara Bernstein, Lizabeth Malone, Addison Larson, AIAN FACES 2019 Workgroup
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Mathematica
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Policy Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Insecurity in Rural America: Evidence from Appalachia
Study examining food access during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural Appalachian community in Kentucky, based on qualitative data from 5 focus groups. Discusses food scarcity, supply chain disruptions, federal food assistance, community food resources, and home gardening, and highlights policy implications related to federal programs and social determinants of health.
Author(s): Kathryn M. Cardarelli, Emily DeWitt, Rachel Gillespie, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12792
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Trans*Forming Access and Care in Rural Areas: A Community-Engaged Approach
Article exploring the healthcare experiences and barriers to accessing services for rural transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations based on qualitative data gathered in Appalachia. Describes the limited research on TGD populations and health and barriers to care including transportation, gender-affirming care access, provider knowledge and inclusivity, and avoidance of care.
Author(s): Megan E. Gandy, Kacie M. Kidd, James Weiss, Judith Leitch, Xavier Hersom
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12700
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
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Reaching People with HIV (PWH) in Rural United States
Infographic describing challenges related to HIV screening and care in rural areas. Highlights strategies to address barriers to care, including telehealth HIV care delivery, investing in transportation initiatives, and minimizing stigma and denial.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AIDS Education and Training Centers National Coordinating Resource Center
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Understanding the "Tool-ish-ness" of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld
An interview with clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld. Discusses the role of telehealth in healthcare delivery. Describes how telecommunications tools can be used by providers to bring quality care to rural areas.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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U.S. Population Subgroups See Changes in Food Insecurity from 2019 to 2020 While Overall Rate Remains the Same
Chart comparing 2019 and 2020 data on the prevalence of food insecurity broken down by household composition, race/ethnicity, household income-to-poverty ratio, metro and nonmetro residence, and geographic region based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, and the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Medicare Telemedicine Snapshot
Presents data on telemedicine utilization by Medicare beneficiaries from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021, including pre- and post-pandemic rates of accessing telehealth services, trends in e-visits and virtual check-ins, geographic breakdowns including rural and urban residence, and beneficiary characteristics. Uses data from Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) claims, Medicare Advantage (MA) encounters, and Medicare enrollment.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Counties Losing Share of Grocery Stores, Gaining Other Types of Food Retailers
Reports on changes in the rural food retail landscape in the 48 contiguous states from 1990 to 2015 using National Establishment Time Series data. Describes the distribution of different types of stores in nonmetro counties, including single-location grocery stores, chain stores, and dollar stores.
Author(s): Alexander Stevens
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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