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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Delaware State Health Improvement Plan: 2020 Annual Report
Assesses policy improvements and the alignment of activities among 9 key Delaware stakeholder groups with the 2018-2023 Delaware State Health Needs Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan. Includes sections on chronic disease, maternal and child health, substance use disorders, and mental health, and offers system-wide recommendations.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Delaware Health and Social Services, University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities
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Maternal Mortalities and Severe Maternal Morbidity in Arizona
Provides an overview of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in Arizona as related to issues such as access to healthcare, social determinants of health, and quality of care. Utilizes 2016-2017 data to examine adverse maternal outcomes by county as well as by demographic information such as age, race/ethnicity, rural versus urban geographic location, and more.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Department of Health Services
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Enhancing Rural Emergency Communications Capabilities
Highlights the accomplishments of University of Mississippi Medical Center's First Hands Program to establish communication systems and agency interoperability between non-medical first responders and medical teams, improve disaster response coordination, and identify solutions to improve the delivery of rural emergency medical care. This program was funded by the Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project (REMCDP) established by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and addresses the goals and objectives of the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP).
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
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Achieving Health Equity Through Oral Health Value-based Care: A Funder's Perspective
Presents a study on oral healthcare equity and the preventability of dental caries. Discusses oral healthcare access and presents oral health data on American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Highlights a community-based program in rural Virginia.
Author(s): Parrish Ravelli, Katinka Hakuta, Trenae Simpson
Citation: Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 80(S2), S80-S82
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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December 2020 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) December 2020 meeting. Covers payment adequacy and updates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services and the mandated report on expanding the post-acute care transfer policy to hospice, ambulatory surgical center services, outpatient dialysis services, physician and other health professional services, hospice services, and a status report and benchmark policy option on the Medicare Advantage program. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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A Guide to Understanding Mental Health Systems and Services in Texas
Presents an overview of the mental health system in Texas to help policymakers, advocates, and individuals, including the structure of and services provided by Texas state agencies. Discusses implications and outcomes of rural mental health and substance abuse prevention policy and programs.
Additional links: Supplement to the 5th Edition, 2022
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
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Roadmap for Resilience: The California Surgeon General's Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, and Health
Reports on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in California, addressing the health impacts of ACEs and stress, economic costs, and public health implications of the issue. Discusses initiatives that increase access to screening and treatment for ACEs in urban, rural, and tribal communities. Explores prevention strategies among public health, social service, early childhood, education, and justice agencies.
Author(s): Devika Bhushan, Krista Kotz, Julianne McCall, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Office of the Surgeon General
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Bringing Broadband to Rural America
Explores the economic impacts of broadband access in rural areas, including telemedicine opportunities and local business benefits. Discusses challenges related to the broadband infrastructure cost-funding gap and initiatives to expand broadband access.
Author(s): Alex Marré
Citation: Community Scope, 8(1), 1-10
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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Equitable Recovery and Resilience in Rural America
Reports on geographic, economic, and cultural diversity in rural America, addressing issues of equity, health disparities, and economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Offers recommendations for local and federal action related to broadband internet access, small business development, and collaboration to support rural economic vitality and equity.
Author(s): Brian Dabson
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Rural Hospital Closures: Affected Residents Had Reduced Access to Health Care Services
Examines the effects of rural hospital closures on rural residents. Discusses the distance residents in the service areas of closed facilities had to travel to access common healthcare services between 2012 and 2018, as well as the availability of providers over time. Compares the health status of Medicare beneficiaries in services areas with and without hospital closures.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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