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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

The Opioid Crisis in the Pandemic Era
Analyzes trends in opioid use during the 2019-2021 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides information on the history of the opioid crisis and mortality rates by age, race/ethnicity, type of opioid, state, and urbanicity, including non-metro, small/medium metro, and large metro.
Additional links: Appendix
Author(s): Colin Planalp, Andrea Stewart
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, State Health Access Data Assistance Center
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Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2024. Summarizes provisions related to paying separately for Community Health Integration, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment, and Principal Illness Navigation services; telehealth services; mental health visits furnished by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as eligible for payment at RHCs and FQHCs; and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Extra Episode - Rural Communities Opioid Response Program with Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donell
Podcast episode featuring Megan Meacham and Sarah O'Donnell from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Describes the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), which aims to improve access to substance use disorder, prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural communities. Discusses examples of how RCORP grantees are effectively serving communities and tips for accessing resources to address the opioid crisis in tips for accessing resources to address the rural opioid crisis.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Impact! Communications, Inc.
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Telemedicine Buprenorphine Initiation and Retention in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment for Medicaid Enrollees
Evaluated buprenorphine treatment via telemedicine and overdose outcomes for 91,914 people in Kentucky and Ohio on Medicaid in 2020 to determine the impact of telemedicine on treatment retention and opioid-related nonfatal overdose. Includes discussion on the implications for rural residents.
Author(s): Lindsey R. Hammerslag, Aimee Mack, Redonna K. Chandler, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(10), e2336914
Date: 10/2023
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Alaska Facts and Figures: 2022 Drug Overdoses Mortality Update (September 2023)
Describes the number and rate of drug overdose mortality for Alaska residents from 2013 to 2022 by year. Covers drug overdoses by five year rolling average and sex, race, age group, and public health region.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Types of Offers of Combustible Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Betel Nut Experienced by Guam Youths
Presents a study on the scenarios where youths in Guam are presented with the opportunity to use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and betel nut. Bases findings on focus group discussions and breaks down data by type of offer, location, and group context, among other measures.
Author(s): Francis Dalisay, Scott K. Okamoto, Jane Teneza, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 6832
Date: 09/2023
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National Report: Rural Substance Use Disorder Stigma and Treatment Needs
Report explores the role of stigma among rural substance use disorder (SUD) practitioners providing care to people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Bases findings on a survey of rural SUD practitioners across the country and looks specifically at their opinion of OUD patients and OUD treatment. Highlights other perceived barriers and concerns among rural practitioners.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Will Availability of Over-the-Counter Narcan Increase Access?
Highlights state policies and recent research related to over-the-counter naloxone access. Includes information on the impact of rurality on access. Also discusses insurance coverage and impact of cost.
Author(s): Heather Saunders, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Indexed Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates by Geography for Oklahomans Age 25 to 64 (2016-2020)
Chart depicting mortality rates in Oklahoma for adults between 25 and 64. Compares rates between metropolitan and non-metropolitan tiers, all of Oklahoma, and the national rate for all causes of mortality, multiple chronic illnesses, cancer, stroke, suicide, opioids, and accidents. Click the full screen icon in the chart viewer to see the entire chart.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health
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This Team from HHS Has Spent Five Years Taking on the Rural Crisis of Opioid Use
Podcast episode interviewing Heath Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) officials running the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). Describes starting the program, types of projects funded, program impacts, and how to apply.
Author(s): Tom Temin
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Federal News Network
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