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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Caring for Pennsylvanians with Dementia and Related Disorders: An Analysis of Needs and Capacity in Rural Areas, 2024 to 2034
Examines potential demand for care of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder (ADRD) in rural Pennsylvania. Features county-level maps showing numbers of various types of care facilities and their capacity, and statistics including projections of the population aged 65+ and rate of increase from 2020 to 2040, age-adjusted mortality rate from ADRD, projections of number of ADRD cases by 2040, and impact of smoking and obesity on ADRD, with breakdowns by county.
Author(s): Dara P. Bourassa, Sara A. Grove
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Indian Health Service Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2025-2029
Highlights the strategic plan for the Indian Health Service's 2025-2029 fiscal years. Features operational goals for workplace safety, cultural competency, workforce recruitment and retention, access to care, program management, healthcare facility infrastructure, and partnerships.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Quantifying Arizona's Primary Care Shortage Using Health Professional Shortage Data: Updated December 2024
Report describing the shortages of primary care physicians in Arizona. Includes data on shortages at the county level and in tribal nations.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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Enrollment in High-Deductible Health Plans Among People Younger Than Age 65 With Private Health Insurance: United States, 2019–2023
Examines privately insured adults under the age of 65 who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHP) and consumer-directed health plans (CDHP). Utilizes 2019-2023 National Health Interview Survey data of HDHPs and CDHPs, with breakdowns by employment-based versus directly purchased insurance, race/ethnicity, poverty level, education, sex, age group, and urbanization level by 4 groups: large central metropolitan, large fringe metropolitan, medium and small metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan.
Author(s): Robin A. Cohen, Elizabeth M. Briones
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Influencing Healthcare Utilization among Rural Missourians: "We Have to be Bleeding, Broken"
Examines factors influencing healthcare utilization in rural Missouri via interviews with 25 rural Missourians. Identifies structural, cultural, and individual factors, including discussion of financial accessibility, perceptions of rural healthcare quality, treatment preferences, and approaches to health.
Author(s): Klaudia Kukulka, Jacquelyn J. Benson, Olivia J. Landon, et al.
Citation: Health Place, 90, 103367
Date: 12/2024
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Connecting Unstably Housed Veterans Living in Rural Areas to Health Care: Perspectives From Health Care Navigators
Highlights a study of VA healthcare navigators (HCNs) effectiveness in helping rural veterans experiencing housing instability access healthcare services. Explores interpersonal, intrapersonal, and community-level barriers and facilitators to HCN services.
Author(s): Kalea Jones, Meagan Cusack, Gala True, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14316
Date: 12/2024
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Differential Effects of a Social Work Staffing Intervention on Social Work Access Among Rural and Highly Rural Veterans: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the efficacy of a VA program to expand access of social work services to rural veterans. Draws data from VA sites that participated in the program from October 2016 to September 2021. Compares social worker utilization by rural and urban veterans and breaks down data by age and reason for visit, among other factors.
Author(s): Andrew N. Honken, Christopher W. Halladay, Lisa E. Wootton, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14327
Date: 12/2024
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Understanding the Impact of Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on Cancer Control in Rural Communities: A Qualitative Study
Explores the perceptions of 23 healthcare providers on factors affecting rural patients' access to care and the associated impacts on providers' approach to cancer screening and prevention recommendations. Discusses the impact of both patient and provider trust on information-gathering and care coordination.
Author(s): Alee Lockman, Mariam Krikorian Atkinson, Keelin McGee, Tenille Oderwald, James McGee
Citation: SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, 6, 100452
Date: 12/2024
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Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Access to Accredited Facilities for Cancer Treatment
Examines access to cancer care at accredited hospitals in Pennsylvania due to expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Analyzes patient characteristics before and after ACA implementation, with breakdowns according to sex, age, race/ethnicity, area deprivation, and urban, large town, small town, or rural location, among other characteristics. Provides commentary on ACA impacts for patients in nonurban areas.
Author(s): Lindsay M. Sabik, Youngmin Kwon, Coleman Drake, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(6)
Date: 12/2024
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Farm Bill Primer: Rural Broadband Provisions
Highlights selected rural broadband programs and provisions included in the 2018 Farm Bill, including the Rural Broadband Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. Outlines considerations for Congress related to the ReConnect Program, rural health challenges, and expanding broadband to support increased telework opportunities.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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