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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Rural and Appalachian Disparities in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Incidence and Access to Opioid Abuse Treatment
Examines the disparity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) prevalence in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky and in comparison to national data. Considers why data from this study may or may not be useful in identifying regional and national trends. Also discusses the challenges of providing substance abuse treatment to pregnant women and Appalachian populations.
Author(s): Joshua D. Brown, Amie J. Goodin, Jeffrey C. Talbert
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 34(1), 6-13
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Depression in a Depressed Area: Deservingness, Mental Illness, and Treatment in the Contemporary Rural U.S.
Examines the concepts of health-related deservingness and local moral economics to understand the diversity of moral responses to depression for rural women living in Appalachian Kentucky, where economic distress has contributed to poor mental health. Women from a variety of ages, treatment encounters, work experiences, and family sizes, along with healthcare professionals from a variety of backgrounds and settings, participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
Author(s): Claire Snell-Rood, Elizabeth Carpenter-Song
Citation: Social Science & Medicine, 219: 78-86
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Twenty-Five Things to Know about Texas Rural Hospitals
A fact sheet describing several characteristics, concerns, and related data unique to rural hospitals in Texas.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals
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Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey
Results from Phase 3 of a livability study examining the connection between transit and quality of life in metro urban and nonmetro rural communities. Features socio-demographic statistics and importance of factors affecting community livability, including access to healthcare, with breakdowns by metro and nonmetro location.
Author(s): Ranjit Godavarthy, Jeremy Mattson, Jonathan Brooks, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Assessing the Unintended Consequences of Health Policy on Rural Populations and Places
Explores health policies that have affected, or could potentially have affected, rural people, places, and providers, in ways that ran counter to policy intent. Examines 6 historical health policies and their effect on rural health systems. Includes a framework for analyzing policy impact on rural populations and places.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Charlie Alfero, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Barriers Encountered by Agricultural Workers Seeking Specialty Care and Potential Solutions
Discusses challenges providing access to specialty care for farmworkers and their families. Examines opportunities for using promotores and telehealth to expand specialty care access and provides recommendations for health centers.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Farmworker Justice Fund, Inc.
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Improving Oral Health Care Services in Rural America
Discusses the link between oral health and overall health and issues affecting oral health access in rural areas, including shortages of dental providers, differences in dental hygienist scope of practice by state, and insurance coverage. Provides an overview of federal efforts related to rural oral health and offers policy recommendations. Includes a summary of local perspectives from a site visit to Winnsboro Smiles Family Dentistry in rural South Carolina as part of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services meeting.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Broken Promises: Continuing Federal Funding Shortfall for Native Americans
Updates the 2003 report, A Quiet Crisis: Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country, evaluating federal spending on Native American programs, including those related to healthcare, housing, education, infrastructure, criminal justice, and economic development. Provides policy recommendations addressing funding, tribal sovereignty, and data collection.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
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For California's Rural Seniors, Improving Oral Health Care Could Mean Better Health
Highlights data on California's oral health needs for rural seniors, how those needs can impact other health conditions, and offers recommendations for policymakers.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Families USA
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Medicare Fee-for-Service: Information on the Second Year of Nationwide Reduced Payment Rates for Durable Medical Equipment
Analyzes 2017 Medicare claims data to describe changes in the number of beneficiaries receiving and suppliers furnishing Medicare beneficiaries with rate-adjusted versus non-adjusted items in non-bid areas. Includes information on changes in rural and non-rural non-bid areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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