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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Access to Behavioral Health Care for Geographically Remote Service Members and Dependents in the U.S.
Offers a geospatial analysis using TRICARE and other data to determine access to and utilization of mental and behavioral healthcare services for veterans who reside in remote locations. Recommends two pathways for improving access to care: telehealth service and collaborative care between primary care and specialty behavioral care.
Author(s): Ryan Andrew Brown, Grant N. Marshall, Joshua Breslau, et al.
Date: 2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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The Effects of Expanding Public Insurance to Rural Low-Income Childless Adults
Details a study on the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on healthcare usage for rural adults without children in Wisconsin from 2007-2012. Discusses the frequency and type of care sought after participants gained coverage. Records visits in 3 categories: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits.
Author(s): Marguerite E. Burns, Laura Dague, Thomas DeLeire, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 49(s2), 2173-2187
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
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Transportation Disadvantaged Populations: Nonemergency Medical Transportation Not Well Coordinated, and Additional Federal Leadership Needed
Discusses the federal programs that support nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) and how coordination of these programs between federal agencies is limited. Coordination between state and local level NEMT services and the challenges that accompany NEMT coordination are reviewed.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Role of Medicare and the Indian Health Service for American Indians and Alaska Natives: Health, Access and Coverage
Examines the health, healthcare access, income, and education disparities that exist within the Native American and Alaskan Native population, as well as the roles of Medicare and the Indian Health Service (IHS) in addressing these disparities.
Author(s): Cristina Boccuti, Christina Swoope, Samantha Artiga
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Understanding Connections Between Rural Communities and Family Well-Being: A Study of Hampton, Iowa
Discusses how geographic location can affect the health and welfare of rural residents, particularly low-income residents. Study was developed from interviews with residents in Hampton, Iowa.
Author(s): Cynthia Needles Fletcher
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Measuring Access to Healthful, Affordable Food in American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Areas
Compares the distances to food markets that provide healthful and affordable foods in tribal areas with that of the general U.S. population, and the effect of distance and limited food availability on the health of tribal populations.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Phillip Kaufman, Chris Dicken, Ryan Williams
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Access to Health Care in the U.S.-México Border Region: Challenges and Opportunities
Identifies ways in which the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission and other interested organizations can increase healthcare access for border populations in the U.S. Compares provisions of health reform in both countries to recognize potential binational public health collaborations. Discusses the socioeconomic challenges in healthcare access and the enrollment gaps in health insurance offered through the market place.
Date: 11/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: United States-México Border Health Commission
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The Obstetric Care Workforce in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and Rural Non-CAHs
Examines current obstetric practice models in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural hospitals to understand obstetric care services and obstetric workforce issues. Reports on the types of clinicians providing obstetric care in rural hospitals, including obstetricians, family physicians, certified nurse midwives, and general surgeons.
Author(s): Katy Kozhimannil, Michelle Casey, Peiyin Hung, Shailendra Prasad, Ira Moscovice
Date: 11/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Advancing the Transition to a High Performance Rural Health System
Identifies the critical components for developing a high performance rural health system. Discusses 4 strategies providers can use to create systems and the public policy implications of these strategies.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Charles Alfero, Andrew F. Coburn, Jennifer P. Lundblad, et al.
Date: 11/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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METelemedicine: A Pilot Study With Rural Alcohol Users on Community Supervision
Describes a study of 127 alcohol users from 4 rural counties in Appalachian Kentucky who underwent several intervention sessions using motivational enhancement therapy via telemedicine (METelemedicine). Discusses the use of METelemedicine as a means of increasing access to treatment for rural alcohol users. Analyzes results at the 3 month follow-up from initial screening.
Author(s): Michele Staton-Tindall, Jennifer R. Havens, J. Matthew Webster, Carl Leukefeld
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 30(4), 422-432
Date: 10/2014
Type: Document
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