Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Middle-Aged Adults Living Alone in Rural Counties
Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Results of a study exploring the characteristics of adults ages 35-64 who live alone, and the heightened health risks and challenges related to social isolation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uses data from a survey of 14 healthcare providers in rural counties with a high percentage of middle-aged adults living alone. Features a county-level map with breakdowns by percentage of people living alone in rural areas.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Mariana Tuttle, Ashley Hernandez, Jonathan Schroeder, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Impact of Medicare's Rural Add-on Payments on Supply of Home Health Agencies Serving Rural Counties
Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
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Examines how Medicare rural add-on payments affected the number of home health agencies serving rural counties between 2002-2017. Compares the population-adjusted number of home health agencies in urban, urban-adjacent non-urban-adjacent rural counties during periods with add-on payments and without add-on payments. Discusses implications for revised and future add-on payments to maintain or increase the supply of rural home health agencies.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Davis G. Patterson, Bianca K. Frogner
Citation: Health Affairs, 39(6), 949-957
Date: 06/2020
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Pennsylvania Mental Health Care Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Solutions: A Staff Study
Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Nutrition Interventions in Low-Income Rural and Urban Retail Environments: A Systematic Review
Literature review of articles published between October 2010 - October 2019, identifying and comparing nutrition interventions implemented in 20 rural and 26 urban low-income retail food stores. Includes a discussion of behavioral economics (BE) strategies used to promote healthier food choices.
Author(s): Linda Fergus, Katherine Seals, Denise Holston
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(6), 1087-1114
Date: 06/2020
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Literature review of articles published between October 2010 - October 2019, identifying and comparing nutrition interventions implemented in 20 rural and 26 urban low-income retail food stores. Includes a discussion of behavioral economics (BE) strategies used to promote healthier food choices.
Author(s): Linda Fergus, Katherine Seals, Denise Holston
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 121(6), 1087-1114
Date: 06/2020
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Developing and Implementing Farm Stress Training to Address Agricultural Producer Mental Health
Offers an overview of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency online training program for agribusiness professionals to offer mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. Describes issues of mental healthcare access for rural and farm populations and the process of developing the training program, as well as challenges, successes, and practical implications of the program.
Author(s): Courtney Cuthbertson, Alison Brennan, John Shutske, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 1524839920931849
Date: 06/2020
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Offers an overview of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency online training program for agribusiness professionals to offer mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. Describes issues of mental healthcare access for rural and farm populations and the process of developing the training program, as well as challenges, successes, and practical implications of the program.
Author(s): Courtney Cuthbertson, Alison Brennan, John Shutske, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 1524839920931849
Date: 06/2020
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Telehealth in Rural America: Disruptive Innovation for the Long Term?
Blog post discussing policy challenges and rural-specific concerns related to telehealth and telemedicine expansion during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses potential impacts of telehealth on rural facilities, Medicaid programs, and policy efforts.
Author(s): Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Blog post discussing policy challenges and rural-specific concerns related to telehealth and telemedicine expansion during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses potential impacts of telehealth on rural facilities, Medicaid programs, and policy efforts.
Author(s): Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Rides to Health and Wealth: A Driving Force for Rural Health Network Action Webinar
Webinar featuring the Health and Wealth Network in Missouri, which increases access to transportation for rural residents through community coordination and scheduling. Discusses impacts of transportation and mobility on health and healthcare access for rural Missourians. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Kelly Ast
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Webinar featuring the Health and Wealth Network in Missouri, which increases access to transportation for rural residents through community coordination and scheduling. Discusses impacts of transportation and mobility on health and healthcare access for rural Missourians. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Kelly Ast
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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Improving Rural Health: State Policy Options for Increasing Access to Care
Discusses strategies from state legislatures and other stakeholders to increase access to healthcare in rural areas. Focuses on policies and policy options for state legislatures in three areas: improving health insurance coverage, safeguarding rural health facilities, and changing rural healthcare delivery. Features examples from Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Jack Pitsor
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Discusses strategies from state legislatures and other stakeholders to increase access to healthcare in rural areas. Focuses on policies and policy options for state legislatures in three areas: improving health insurance coverage, safeguarding rural health facilities, and changing rural healthcare delivery. Features examples from Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Jack Pitsor
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Systematic Review of Clinical Insights into Novel Coronavirus (CoVID-19) Pandemic: Persisting Challenges in U.S. Rural Population
Examines the pathogenesis and transmission of COVID-19 together with pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention strategies to lessen the clinical symptoms and signs of the virus. Assesses the challenges of the pandemic in rural areas and its effect on rural populations.
Author(s): Hari Vishal Lakhani, Sneha S. Pillai, Mishghan Zehra, Ishita Sharma, Komal Sodhi
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4279
Date: 06/2020
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Examines the pathogenesis and transmission of COVID-19 together with pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention strategies to lessen the clinical symptoms and signs of the virus. Assesses the challenges of the pandemic in rural areas and its effect on rural populations.
Author(s): Hari Vishal Lakhani, Sneha S. Pillai, Mishghan Zehra, Ishita Sharma, Komal Sodhi
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4279
Date: 06/2020
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Availability of Health Insurance Literacy Resources Fails to Meet Consumer Needs in Rural, Appalachian Communities: Implications for State Medicaid Waivers
Reports on the availability of health system and community‐based programs promoting health insurance literacy and supporting informed consumer healthcare decision making in rural Kentucky. Findings are based on focus groups and interviews conducted with healthcare providers, community health workers, patient navigators, and others primarily serving rural Appalachian counties in the state.
Author(s): Jean Edward, Robin Thompson, Andrea Jaramillo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2020
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Reports on the availability of health system and community‐based programs promoting health insurance literacy and supporting informed consumer healthcare decision making in rural Kentucky. Findings are based on focus groups and interviews conducted with healthcare providers, community health workers, patient navigators, and others primarily serving rural Appalachian counties in the state.
Author(s): Jean Edward, Robin Thompson, Andrea Jaramillo
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 06/2020
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