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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Income Disparities Widen the Gap in Oral Health of California Adults
Policy brief discussing associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and oral health in California adults using data from the 2017 and 2018 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS). Describes barriers related to oral health education, literacy, access to care, and oral health screening for low-income populations. Related infographic offers a map of oral health differences by region, noting disparities in rural California counties and data on income and racial/ethnic population characteristics.
Additional links: Infographic
Author(s): Nadereh Pourat, Maria Ditter
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
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The Future of State Telehealth Policy
Provides an overview of state and federal telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses long-term considerations for governors regarding the impact of these flexibilities on healthcare delivery and payment and the appropriateness of these policies in the future.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Listening to Rural Stories: Q&A with Alisa Druzba
An interview with Alisa Druzba, director of the New Hampshire's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, who discusses her journey to becoming a State Office of Rural Health (SORH) director, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her state, and the work her office focuses on to support rural New Hampshire.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' Ethical Principles for Allocating Initial Supplies of COVID-19 Vaccine — United States, 2020
Discusses four ethical principles that will inform the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations for the initial allocation of COVID-19 vaccine: maximizing benefits and minimizing harms; promoting justice; mitigating health inequities; and promoting transparency. The section on health inequities includes discussion of concerns for rural residents.
Author(s): Nancy McClung, Mary Chamberland, Kathy Kinlaw, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(47), 1782-1786
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Ensuring Health Across Rural Minnesota in 2030
Offers recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders on how to expand access to high-quality and inexpensive healthcare for rural communities in Minnesota. Covers trends in factors that may affect rural health, such as increased diversity, older populations, higher healthcare costs, lack of broadband, closures of healthcare facilities, and more. Discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated issues in rural communities.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Emergency Obstetric Training Needed in Rural Hospitals without Obstetric Units
Results of a survey of 47 nurse managers and emergency department administrators from rural hospitals without obstetric care. Examines the types of trainings and resources that would better prepare these hospitals to handle obstetric emergencies.
Author(s): Mary Gilbertson, Mariana Story Tuttle, Kristin DeArruda Wharton, Katy Backes Kozhimannil
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: ANGELS Network & Millard-Henry Clinic
Describes the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education, and Learning System (ANGELS) program, a high-risk pregnancy program based at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science designed to improve the ability of tertiary care facilities in the state to deliver low birth weight babies. Discusses the importance of communication between ANGELS staff and partner clinics and the role of telehealth services for specialty care.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care: Western Wisconsin Health
Profiles Western Wisconsin Health, a Critical Access Hospital in rural Wisconsin with a successful obstetrics unit. Describes the philosophy of the leadership and staff, as well as the scope of services. Includes recommendations for emulating this model.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Mary Gilbertson
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Accountable Health Communities Model - Two Rural Participants' Experiences
Describes how two health systems, Ballard Health and Rocky Mountain Health Plan, implemented the Accountable Health Communities Model to address health-related social needs of rural Medicare, Medicaid, and dual-eligible beneficiaries. Discusses challenges each system faced while implementing the model.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Evaluating Telehealth Adoption and Related Barriers Among Hospitals Located in Rural and Urban Areas
Study examining telehealth adoption in hospitals, comparing rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas using 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey data. Discusses barriers to telehealth implementation related to health information exchange (HIE) capacity and patient engagement through health information technology (HIT) systems.
Author(s): Jie Chen, Aitalohi Amaize, Deanna Barath
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(4), 801-811
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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