Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Rural Hospital Closures Threaten Access: Solutions to Preserve Care in Local Communities
Provides an overview of rural hospital closures between 2010-2021. Discusses rural demographics and outlines trends affecting rural hospital financial sustainability, including patient volume and health, reimbursement, staffing shortages, COVID-19, new models of care, and more.
Date: 09/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Broadband Internet Subscription Rates and Opioid Prescribing via Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores the effect of the DEA's temporary permission for providers to prescribe opioids via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky. Discusses the effect this permission had on rural areas and in counties with low and high rates of broadband access.
Author(s): Douglas R. Oyler, Svetla Slavova, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(4), 900-907
Date: 09/2022
Type: Document
view details
National Veteran Health Equity Report
Examines Veterans Affairs (VA) data concerning the sociodemographics, utilization patterns, and rates of diagnosed health conditions among various groups of veterans to monitor, evaluate and act on identified disparities in healthcare access, use, quality, and health outcomes. Chapter 5 developed by the VA Office of Rural Health provides detailed information comparing rural and urban data.
Additional links: American Indian or Alaska Native Veteran Chartbook, Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Veteran Chartbook, Black Veteran Chartbook, Full Report, Hispanic and Latino Veteran Chartbook
Date: 09/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
view details
Disability and Telehealth since the COVID-19 Pandemic
Discusses the importance of telehealth for people with disabilities in context of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Describes telehealth's benefits and barriers for individuals as well as institutional advantages and limitations, including discussion of increased need and accessibility issues in rural areas. Describes specific policy and funding modifications during the public health emergency. Provides policy and infrastructure recommendations.
Author(s): Natalie Lawson, Jaque King, Robyn Rontal
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health and Research Transformation at the University of Michigan (CHRT)
view details
Exploring Environmental Measures in Disability: Using Google Earth and Street View to Conduct Remote Assessments of Access and Participation in Urban and Rural Communities
Presents two studies which use digital maps and street-level imagery to investigate physical accessibility in rural and urban communities. Analyzes pathway usability, building access, and community participation of people using personal mobility devices, with comparisons by community population size. Discusses procedures, applications, and limitations of the use of digital street-level imagery for accessibility research.
Author(s): Tom Seekins, Meg A. Traci, Emily C. Hicks
Citation: Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3, 879193
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
view details
Agencies Improving Rural Healthcare in TX
Webinar describing demographic characteristics and common health disparities of rural residents both in Texas and nationally. Highlights the distribution of rural Texas health facilities. Notes organization and agencies working in rural healthcare nationally and within Texas. Offers resources for further development of rural healthcare knowledge. Transcript for video available by clicking three dots under the video.
Date: 08/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Rural Health and Nursing
view details
Interventions for Increasing Digital Equity and Access (IDEA) Among Rural Patients Who Smoke: Study Protocol for a Pragmatic Randomized Pilot Trial
Examines digital access and literacy interventions that facilitate online evidence-based smoking cessation treatment (EBCT) for rural adults. Provides methodology and components of 3 different EBCT interventions aimed at participants in a Midwestern community-based health system. Includes feedback from a rural community advisory committee (CAC) on the study protocol.
Author(s): Christi Patten, Tabetha Brockman, Sydney Kelpin, et al.
Citation: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 119, 106838
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
view details
Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages (ACICBL) Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2022
Summarizes the Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages (ACICBL) meeting held on August 26, 2022. Includes updates from the Bureau of Health Workforce and a discussion on the Geriatric Academic Career Award program (GACA) and Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages
view details
Association of Rurality, Race and Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status With the Surgical Management of Colon Cancer and Postoperative Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Results of a study of 57,710 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older diagnosed with colon cancer between April 2016, and September 2018, with follow-up until December 2018. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, micropolitan, or small town/rural location.
Author(s): Niveditta Ramkumar, Carrie H. Colla, Qianfei Wang, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(8)
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
view details
Transformation Transfer Initiative (TTI) 2022 Resource Guide
Highlights information pertaining to the behavioral health equity for children and adolescents, American Indian and Alaska Native, and LGBTQ+ populations. Discusses workforce issues and trauma-informed care. Features resource papers, presentations, websites, toolkits, and pamphlets.
Date: 08/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
view details