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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Elderly population

Regional and Rural-urban Patterns in the Prevalence of Diagnosed Hypertension among Older U.S. Adults with Diabetes, 2005–2017
Explores trends in the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes across four geographic regions between 2005 and 2017. Examines Medicare administrative claims data to describe sociodemographic characteristics of the sampled beneficiaries with diabetes. Uses the 2013 CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) classification scheme to compare the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in each region over time by rurality.
Author(s): Jalal Uddin, Sha Zhu, Gargya Malla, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 24, 1326
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Social Determinants of Health and Delivery of Rehabilitation to Older Adults During ICU Hospitalization
Analyzes likelihood of receiving physical therapy or occupational therapy during ICU hospitalization among older adults. Utilizes 2011-2018 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) data of 1,618 hospitalizations. Highlights social determinants of health associated with disparities in rehabilitation service delivery, including rural status, dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and limited English proficiency.
Author(s): Snigdha Jain, Terrence E. Murphy, Jason R. Falvey, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(5), e2410713
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
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Trends and Disparities in Pandemic Telehealth Use among People with Disabilities
Examines the use of telehealth services by Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities by analyzing data from the Medicare Telehealth Trends Dashboard; the 2021 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and MCBS Winter 2021 Supplement; and the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey data from July 21, 2021, to August 8, 2022. Presents data on patterns of telehealth utilization by Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities by type of Medicare eligibility and number and type of disabilities, modes of telehealth used by the number and type of disabilities, and the availability of different modes of telehealth and access to video-enabled services. Exhibit 8 compares telehealth utilization trends among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries between 2019 and 2021 by Medicare eligibility and rural and urban status.
Author(s): Madjid Karimi, Lok Wong Samson, Sara J. Couture, et al.
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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New Medicare Behavioral Health Providers: Incorporating MHCs and MFTs Into Your RHC
Recording of a May 9, 2024, webinar discussing Medicare coverage of marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) effective January 1, 2024, and the implications for Rural Health Clinics. Describes skills and attributes of MFTs and MHCs and provides an overview of common mental health concerns for older adults. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 05/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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North Carolina Healthcare Association Critical Workforce Needs Assessment
Reports on healthcare workforce trends in North Carolina, including discussion of state demographics, policy changes, and strategies influencing workforce needs and availability. Highlights the rural aging population and a need for health workers in rural communities.
Author(s): Patrick McHugh, Alison Bean de Hernandez, Chrystall Davis, Michael Hogan, Sara Nienow
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Health Care Contact Days Among Older Cancer Survivors
Analyzes factors associated with healthcare contact days among older adult cancer survivors using the 2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) and linked Medicare claims data. Evaluates the effect of demographics, self-rated health, care-seeking behaviors, rural status, and more.
Author(s): Arjun Gupta, Emma D. Chant, Supriya Mohile, et al.
Citation: JCO Oncology Practice
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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National Aging and Disability Transportation Center 2023 Innovations Showcase
Offers descriptions, lessons learned, replication advice, and contact information for 14 transportation projects across the country. Projects cover accessibility, coordination, cross jurisdictional boundaries, equity, healthcare access, and technology. Includes rural projects in Virginia and Massachusetts.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
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How the 10 Essential Public Health Services Align with the AFPHS 6Cs Framework for Supporting Healthy Aging
Examines the Framework for Creating Age Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) and the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS) that promote well-being for older adults. Includes rural-specific commentary and examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Megan Wolfe
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
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Addressing the Shortage of Direct Care Workers: Insights from Seven States
Brief assessing efforts for strengthening and identifying federal policy opportunities related to the direct care workforce through interviews with 20 stakeholders in 7 states. Discusses federal funding, collaboration, workforce pipelines, equity, credentials, training, family caregivers, and home- and community-based services. Discusses rural throughout.
Author(s): Barbara Lyons, Molly O'Malley Watts
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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2024-2026 Tennessee State Health Plan
Presents a plan for health improvement in Tennessee for the period 2024-2026. Describes the state of health in Tennessee, identifies priorities, and makes recommendations related to early life, care delivery, social determinants of health, and more. Highlights goals for nutrition, maternal and infant health, older adults and healthy aging, chronic conditions, cancer screening, transportation, and health workforce.
Additional links: State Health Plan Priority Areas
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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