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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Community health workers

Trends in the Health Workforce Supply in the Rural U.S.
Describes trends in the supply and distribution of clinicians in primary care, behavioral health, and obstetrical care, as well as dentists, surgeons, community health workers, and home health aides. Examines the availability of workforce data for professions important for rural communities, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using various health workforce data sources for rural health research. Features statistics with breakdowns by 5 levels of population density.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Addressing Travel Costs for Providers of Field-Based Services in Medi-Cal
Examines provider travel costs associated with field-based healthcare services in Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. Discusses Medicaid policies related to provider travel costs and the implications for community health workers (CHWs), doula services, and behavioral health services, with emphasis on the impact for rural areas of the state.
Author(s): Logan Kelly
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Patient-Centered, Nonphysician Led Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure Program in a Rural Federally Qualified Health Center
Evaluated the effectiveness of a self-monitoring blood pressure program (SMBP) involving a nonphysician team for 205 patients with recent hypertension diagnoses in a rural Washington Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Discusses facilitators and barriers to implementation including COVID-19, telehealth, community health workers, working with limited English proficiency populations, reimbursement, and collaborations.
Author(s): Magali Sanchez, KeliAnne Hara-Hubbard, Bárbara Baquero
Citation: Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 30, S3167-S174
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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Advancing Health Equity through Primary Care Policy: Priorities and Recommendations for California
Provides policy recommendations to improve access to primary care and improve health equity in California, summarizing perspectives and conclusions from policy, primary care, and health equity experts who participated in the 2023 Summit on Primary Care Policy to Advance Health Equity. Covers topics including engagement with community organizations, workforce development, access to care, data sharing, payment, and accountability. Discusses people who live in rural areas and other underserved populations throughout.
Author(s): Diane Rittenhouse, Rebeckah Muratore, Alexandra Ament, Deliya Wesley, Katie Morrison Lee
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Health Care Foundation
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New Mexico State-Tribal Collaboration Act Agency Report 2024
Summarizes collaboration between New Mexico state agencies and tribal nations regarding current public health priorities, including COVID-19, substance use disorder, maternal and child health, and cancer. Identifies resources available for American Indians from each New Mexico department and activities and funding for the fiscal year 2024, covering community health workers, cancer, diabetes, suicide prevention, and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Rural Community Health Worker Programs: Proving Value and Finding Sustainability
Features four rural healthcare organizations describing the impact of their community health worker (CHW) programs and strategies for sustaining them. Discusses CHW roles, activities, reimbursement options, and more.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Effectiveness of Trained Community Lay Workers on Glycemic Control, Knowledge, and Self-Efficacy Among Agricultural Workers with Diabetes in the Texas Panhandle
Describes a 2 phase study that created a diabetes coaching program and evaluated implementation among agricultural workers with diabetes in the Texas panhandle. Evaluated patient A1C levels and diabetes knowledge to determine the effectiveness of using community health workers to improve diabetes outcomes. Discusses the importance of culturally relevant content and addressing systemic barriers to healthcare access.
Author(s): Anabel Rodriguez, Lus Chavez, Teresa Wagner, Carol Howe
Citation: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26, 841-849
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Forces of Change: 2023 Survey Results
Presents results from a 2023 survey of 532 local health departments (LHDs). Provides data on LHD staffing and budgets, billing practices, community health workers, programs and partnerships focused on social determinants of health and violence prevention, data modernization, and outbreak analytics. Includes comparisons of small, medium, and large LHDs.
Author(s): Margaret C. Cunningham, Krishna Patel, Chloe Garofalini, Kellie Hall, Timothy C. McCall
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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An Evaluation of ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi!, a Culturally Tailored Nutrition and Physical Activity Pilot Program for Mexican-Heritage Fathers
Describes outcomes of ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi! (HEPP), a nutrition and physical activity intervention for Latino fathers in colonias near the Texas-Mexico border. Provides data on changes in participants' fruit and vegetable intake, skin carotenoids, and healthy dietary behaviors. Discusses approaches to cultural appropriateness and collaboration with promotoras.
Author(s): Annika Vahk, Pablo Monsivais, Cassandra M. Johnson, Joseph R. Sharkey
Citation: Nutrients, 16(8), 1153
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
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Critical Lessons from a Pragmatic Randomized Trial of Home-Based COVID-19 Testing in Rural Native American and Latino Communities
Examines the impact of utilizing community health workers (CHWs) to provide COVID-19 home testing in rural Latino and Native American communities. Includes data on completion of COVID-19 tests and provides qualitative feedback on accessibility, feasibility, and completion of COVID-19 home testing with CHW assistance.
Author(s): Eliza Webber, Sonia Bishop, Paul K. Drain, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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