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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Behavioral health

Impacts of Transit on Health in Rural and Small Urban Areas
Overview of how public transportation affects health in rural and small urban areas. Summarizes findings from a literature review that looked at public transportation as it relates to the social determinants of health, healthcare access, physical activity, social isolation, and mental health. Also reports results from a survey of rural older adults supplemented by data analysis looking at travel for healthcare, challenges related to public transportation, and the impacts of missed or delayed healthcare trips.
Author(s): Jeremy Mattson, Bright Quayson
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
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Social and Structural Determinants of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: An Evidence Map
Presents results of a systematic literature review of risk factors associated with maternal morbidity and mortality before, during, and after birth. Reports study findings on social and structural determinants of health including race, income, mental health, rurality, environment, violence, trauma, and more. Observes the state of current research and identifies limitations.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Full Report
Author(s): Jaime Slaughter-Acey, Kathryn Behrens, Amy M. Claussen, et al.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Disparities in Mortality Between Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Regions of Kentucky
Compares all-cause, drug-related, and opioid-related mortality in Kentucky, with breakdowns by metropolitan/nonmetropolitan and Appalachian/non-Appalachian counties. Utilizes 2000-2019 CDC WONDER mortality data. Identifies mortality trends, and discusses related demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors.
Author(s): Sonali S. Salunkhe, Sahal Alzahrani, Beatrice Ugiliweneza
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(3), 38-52
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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2023 - 2028 Oklahoma State Health Improvement Plan
Offers an overview of Oklahoma resident health indicators and improvement goals with specific focus on social determinants of health, mental health, substance use, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Notes statewide resources and assets for each indicator. Includes a health inequity map at the census tract level.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
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Differences in Buprenorphine Prescribing Readiness Among Primary Care Professionals With and Without X-Waiver Training in the US
Examines readiness of primary care providers (PCPs) to prescribe buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes PCP knowledge of and confidence in buprenorphine, attitudes toward patients with OUD, and stress and/or empathy toward patients with OUD. Utilizes survey data from 403 PCPs in Ohio and discusses the challenges of addressing OUD in rural contexts.
Author(s): Berkeley Franz, Lindsay Y. Dhanani, O. Trent Hall, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 20, 180
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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High-Risk Individuals and Naloxone Use: Implications for THN Programs in Rural Appalachian Communities
Presents thematic analysis of factors influencing opioid overdose and naloxone use from interviews with 16 people who use opioid drugs in 4 rural, Appalachian Pennsylvania counties. Identifies opioid overdose risk factors, including substance use habits, as well as factors facilitating or preventing effective naloxone interventions. Covers naloxone access and knowledge, experiences, attitudes toward first responders, and disconnects between naloxone intervention and opioid dependence treatment.
Author(s): Victor Garcia, Lisa McCann, Erick Lauber, et al.
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 5(3), 9-21
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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VA Health Care: The Medically Underserved Facilities Initiative
Describes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medically underserved facilities initiative, which identifies medical facilities that were underserved for primary care and mental health services in 2022. Describes the criteria VA has used to identify medically underserved facilities and which facilities are designated as underserved and what officials from the designated underserved facilities reported about their experiences with the initiative. Explores what VA information shows about the effectiveness of the initiative. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Impact of Health Disparities on the Subjective Well-Being in Rural Communities
Examines the effects of health, socioeconomic, and spatial indicators on well-being and happiness in rural areas/countryside and rural towns. Utilizes North Central Region (NCR)-Stat: Baseline Survey 2022 data to analyze well-being according to physical and mental health status, insurance status, income, work status, education level, and marital status.
Author(s): Zuzana Bednarik
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Retention in Telehealth Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Among Rural Populations: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Highlights a study on the efficacy of telehealth-based treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) for rural populations. Draws patient data from 2020-2022 across 14 states and breaks down data by patient characteristics, such as insurance status, education, and rurality, among other measures. Explores retention in care and adherence over a 6 month treatment period.
Author(s): Marlene C. Lira, Cynthia Jimes, M. Justin Coffey
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 29(12), 1890-1896
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
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Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2021
Examines suicide rates for major and detailed industry and occupational groups. Includes information on suicide rates for occupations in industries that are largely rural, including mining, agriculture, fishing, and hunting.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 1: Major and Detailed Industry Groups, Supplementary Table 2: Major and Detailed Occupational Groups
Author(s): Aaron Sussell, Cora Peterson, Jia Li, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(50), 1346-1350
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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