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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

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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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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Care Coordination Between Rural Primary Care and Telemedicine to Expand Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: Results from a Single-Arm, Multisite Feasibility Study
Examines the feasibility of expanding access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural areas through the use of telemedicine. Analyzes 6 rural primary care sites and their care coordination model. Includes data on patients referred to telemedicine and total number of patient-days on MOUD.
Author(s): Yih-Ing Hser, Larissa J. Mooney, Laura-Mae Baldwin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(4), 780-788
Date: 09/2023
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The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania, August 2023 Update
Identifies specific health challenges in Pennsylvania and indicates where the largest improvements can be made. Features sections on social determinants of health, access to care, substance use, chronic diseases, mental health, maternal and infant health, injury and violence prevention, infectious diseases and immunization, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and environmental health. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 08/2023
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Factors Associated with Hospitalizations for Co-occurring HIV and Opioid-Related Diagnoses: Evidence from the National Inpatient Sample, 2009–2017
Analyzes the 2009-2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify trends in co-occurring HIV and opioid-related hospitalizations and their risk factors. Discusses the impact of rurality, sex, race and ethnicity, region, and more on odds of hospitalization.
Author(s): Nima Khodakarami, Marvellous A. Akinlotan, Timothy Callaghan, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine Reports, 34(2023), 102225
Date: 08/2023
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