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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Inflation Reduction Act Research Series: Projected Impacts for Rural Medicare Enrollees
Provides an overview of how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is intended to improve prescription drug affordability for Medicare enrollees. Describes Medicare enrollment in rural areas and rural residents' health status and access to care. Outlines the projected impact of drug-related IRA provisions for rural Medicare beneficiaries, including the expansion of financial assistance through the low-income subsidy program, out-of-pocket spending caps for insulin, changes in Part D benefit design, and more.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Cross-Sectional Analysis of Primary Care Clinics' Policies, Practices, and Availability of Patient Support Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines healthcare access related to missed or no-show appointments, with a focus on patient barriers, no-show policies, and patient support services. Analyzes survey responses from Nebraska primary care clinics, examining rural versus urban differences in clinic ability to address social determinants of health (SDOH).
Author(s): Kendra L. Ratnapradipa, Runqiu Wang, Josiane Kabayundo, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 24, 279
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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The Impact of Rural General Hospital Closures on Communities—A Systematic Review of the Literature
Presents a literature review of studies on the health and economic effects hospital closures have had on rural communities. Analyzes 21 studies completed in the previous 8 years and details the economic and healthcare access outcomes identified.
Author(s): Carol A. Mills, Valerie A. Yeager, Kathleen T. Unroe, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(2), 238-248
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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The Future of the Universal Service Fund and Related Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Optimizing Postpartum Care in Rural Communities: Insights from Women in Arizona and Implications for Policy
Analyzes the postpartum care needs of women living in rural Arizona. Reports on interview feedback from 30 women structured around themes of maternity care and networks of care, structural support and systems, and health information and literacy. Discusses potential implications for policy and practice related to rural postpartum care.
Author(s): Abidemi Okechukwu, Priscilla Magrath, Halimatou Alaofe, et al.
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28, 1148-1159
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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What Does Pharmacy Access Look like in Your Area?
Interactive map showing the number of pharmacies and pharmacies per 1,000 people at the state and county level. Includes the option to view race and ethnicity data at the county level for Black, Hispanic, and White residents.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: The Associated Press
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Accessibility of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the US
Analyzes travel time to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) sites at the census tract level using 2021 American Community Survey data. Highlights differences in travel time to PR services by race and ethnicity, particularly among American Indian and Alaska Native population. Discusses access barriers faced by people in rural areas.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e2354867
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
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Oklahoma Cancer Prevention & Control Plan 2023-2028: Cancer is Not OK!
Outlines goals and strategies to prevent cancer, reduce deaths, and increase quality of life among people living with cancer in Oklahoma. Includes data and recommendations related to prevention, screening, survivorship, and population health. See pages 60-61 for discussion of cancer disparities and access barriers in rural areas.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Network (OCCN), Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Maternal Health in Rural America
White paper describing factors contributing to rural maternal health disparities, including financial barriers to providing obstetric services at rural hospitals, maternal health workforce shortages, access to care, and quality of care. Outlines policy considerations to increase access to maternal health services in rural areas.
Author(s): Hailey Waldman, Alexandra Zimmerman
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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2024 Indiana Kids Count Data Book: 30th Edition of a Profile of Hoosier Youth
Provides comprehensive data on child well-being in Indiana with a focus on family and community, health, economic well-being, and education. Discusses topics such as abuse and neglect, mental health, child welfare policies, injuries, disabilities, substance use, sexual activity, housing, food insecurity, healthcare access, and more. Includes data broken down by county and focused on rural populations.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indiana Youth Institute
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