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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

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
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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
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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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
Sponsoring organization: California Office of the Surgeon General
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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
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Determinants of Rural-Urban Differences in Health Care Provider Visits Among Women of Reproductive Age in the United States
Uses nationally representative data to investigate whether rural and urban women of reproductive age experience differences in healthcare provider visits. Features rural/urban comparisons on individual- and county-level characteristics and medical provider visits by type of healthcare professional.
Author(s): Hyunjung Lee, Ashley H. Hirai, Ching-Ching Claire Lin, John E. Snyder
Citation: PLos One, 15(12), e0240700
Date: 12/2020
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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
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Benefits and Barriers to Pediatric Tele-Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study of remote video visits by a pediatric urology provider serving rural Virginia that examines the rapid integration of video visits into a practice that previously treated patients exclusively in-person. Discusses patient demographics, diagnosis and clinical outcomes, and success rates of video visits for 116 patients.
Author(s): Andrew J. Winkelman, Haerin L. Beller, Kathryn E. Morgan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pediatric Urology, 16(6), P840.E1-840.E6
Date: 12/2020
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The Digital Divide in U.S. Mobile Technology and Speeds
Report examining the digital divide in access to mobile broadband service for certain populations, including rural areas. Discusses age of mobile and WiFi technology and compiles speed test data to analyze access at the county level. Presents population data based on demographics, household size, employment, and offers maps of approximate LTE speeds by county.
Author(s): Judith Dempsey, Patrick Sun
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
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Impacts of COVID-19 on Rural Mental Health
Presentation slides from an American Farm Bureau Federation poll of 2,000 rural adults in December 2020, comparing results to a similar April 2019 poll. Addresses perceived importance of mental health, issues of stigma, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, barriers to care, and other mental health topics. Tracks response trends between 2019 and 2020, highlighting consistent aspects of the survey and changes in impressions and experiences.
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Farm Bureau Federation
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How Does DATA-Waiver Provider Patient Capacity Relate to Opioid and Buprenorphine Prescribing?
Explores if regulatory changes to increase the patient capacity among buprenorphine waivered providers effects buprenorphine and opioids prescription rates at the county-level. Compares prescription rates by metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties.
Author(s): Robin Ghertner, Mir M. Ali
Date: 12/2020
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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