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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Recovery From COVID-19–Related Disruptions in Cancer Detection
Examines changes in cancer screening and diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing 2000-2021 SEER Program data. Identifies trends in overall cancer incidence and diagnosis, and provides data on clinical and demographic disparities in diagnosis, including breakdowns by level of rurality. Discusses the significance of pandemic-influenced missed cancer diagnoses for underserved patients.
Author(s): Uriel Kim, Johnie Rose, Bryan T. Carroll, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(10), e2439263
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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A Qualitative Study of Rural Plant-Based Eaters' Knowledge and Practices for Nutritional Adequacy
Examines nutritional knowledge, strategies, and access to nutritional expertise among 28 adults who follow a flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian diet in rural Vermont. Discusses factors influencing the nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets, and identifies gaps in nutritional support for rural people following plant-based diets.
Author(s): Michelle Leonetti, Jane Kolodinsky, Amy Trubek, Emily H. Belarmino
Citation: Nutrients, 16(20), 3504
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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CMS-Approved Waivers Break New Ground for Medicaid Coverage of American Indian and Alaska Native Traditional Health Care Practices
Provides an overview of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved 1115 waivers that allow Medicaid agencies to cover American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) traditional healthcare practices in four states: Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon. Describes who can access traditional healthcare practices under these waivers, where traditional healthcare services can be provided, who will be certified to provide these services, and implementation support.
Author(s): Anne Smithey
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Beneficiary and Clinician Perspectives on Medicare and Other Issues: Findings from 2024 Focus Groups in Select States
Summarizes findings from 24 focus groups of Medicare beneficiaries, Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible) beneficiaries, and clinicians conducted between May and June 2024, including three virtual focus groups of rural Medicare beneficiaries. Highlights themes that emerged across the focus groups covering Medicare coverage options, access to care, telehealth, organization of care, and prescription drugs.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment Services in Rural Northwest North Carolina
Results of a study using data from interviews with 6 regional agencies, conducted in early 2022 with professionals working in intimate partner violence and child maltreatment in rural North Carolina. Explores challenges and risk factors encountered by clients, including isolation, financial barriers, chronic stress, abuse, barriers to care, and mental illness.
Author(s): Elisabeth G. Galphin, Adam Hege, Amy Dellinger Page
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 93-98
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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'A Silent, Unmet Need': Rural Motherhood and the Challenges of Postpartum Care
Discusses the importance of rural access to postpartum care, including perinatal mental healthcare. Features programs in Montana, Maine, and Alaska that are providing support to rural mothers via postpartum doulas, telehealth, and home visiting.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Rural Emergency Hospital Model: Year Two Progress Report
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) payment designation, including the growth in REHs through September 1, 2024, factors that contribute to a hospital seeking REH conversion, and the impacts of REH conversion. Outlines concerns identified by REH leaders, facilities considering converting to REH status, and other rural stakeholders related to the REH designation, as well as policy recommendations to address these concerns.
Author(s): Emma Sheffert, Julia Harris, Marilyn Werber Serafini
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Interfacility Transfer of Children With Time-Sensitive Surgical Conditions, 2002-2017
Explores changes in the number of interfacility transfers and travel distance for children with four time-sensitive surgical conditions across nine states between 2002 and 2017. Examines whether the changes in transfers and travel distance varied by patients' urban or rural residence.
Author(s): Kyle J. Van Arendonk, Elisabeth T. Tracy, Jonathan S. Ellison, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(10), e2440251
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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Nationwide Availability of and Enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans With Exclusively Aligned Enrollment
Explores the availability and enrollment of dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs) with exclusively aligned enrollment, in which the beneficiary can receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits through the same plan or affiliated plans within the same organization. Analyzes 2021-2022 beneficiary data and examines D-SNP plan availability and enrollment according to beneficiary demographics, health status, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Kenton J. Johnston, Michelle Hendricks, Megha Dabas, et al.
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 5(10)
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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Feasibility of a Culturally Adapted Technology-Delivered, Family-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention for Latino/Hispanic Families in Rural Nebraska: The Hispanic Family Connections Study Protocol
Describes a study protocol to examine the feasibility of delivering a phone-delivered, culturally-tailored family-based childhood obesity (FBCO) program to Latino/Hispanic (L/H) families in rural Nebraska. Provides an overview of study design and implementation, and discusses the importance of addressing barriers to FBCO interventions for rural, L/H families.
Author(s): Fabiana Almeida Brito, Thais Favero Alves, Natalia Santos, et al.
Citation: BMJ Open, 14, e089186
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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