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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Illicit drug use

A Federally Qualified Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Partnership in Rural Missouri
Case study describing a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program partnership between a Federally Qualified Health Center and a certified community behavioral health clinic in rural southwest Missouri. Covers the infrastructure of the MOUD program, staffing and services, financing, and more. Highlights challenges and successes, as well as recommendations for other health centers interested in a similar partnership.
Author(s): Ashley Jasko, Meryl Schulman
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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El Dorado Community Health Centers: Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Rural California through Community Partnerships
Case study describing how El Dorado Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in California, works with a community coalition to address the opioid epidemic and implement a medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) program. Covers the infrastructure of the MOUD program, staffing and services, financing, and more. Highlights challenges and successes, as well as recommendations for other health centers.
Author(s): Ashley Jasko, Meryl Schulman
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Association of Spatial Proximity to Fixed-Site Syringe Services Programs with HCV Serostatus and Injection Equipment Sharing Practices Among People Who Inject Drugs in Rural New England, United States
Examines the correlation of proximity to a syringe services program (SSP) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in rural areas of the northeastern United States. Utilizes 2018-2019 data to analyze people who inject drugs (PWID) and their demographic characteristics, drug usage, and distance to the nearest fixed-site SSP.
Author(s): Eric Romo, Thomas J. Stopka, Bill M. Jesdale, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 23
Date: 01/2024
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The Impact of Fentanyl on State- and County-Level Psychostimulant and Cocaine Overdose Death Rates by Race in Ohio from 2010 to 2020: A Time Series and Spatiotemporal Analysis
Analyzes the role of fentanyl in overdose deaths in Ohio. Examines 2010-2020 state- and county-level overdose mortality rates with data further broken down by drug type and race/ethnicity. Discusses related geographical factors such as rurality and Appalachian region.
Author(s): Angela T. Estadt, Brian N. White, JaNelle M. Ricks, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 21, 13
Date: 01/2024
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Opioid Overdose Surveillance Preliminary District Report: Georgia, 2022
Describes district-level fatal and nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses that occurred in Georgia 2020-2022. Covers prescription opioids and illicit opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogs. Features statistics on demographics, overdose deaths, and emergency department visits, with breakdowns by district, drug type, and year. The Preliminary County Report contains county-by-county data.
Additional links: County Report
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Department of Public Health
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Mississippi State Department of Health 2024 Annual Report
Offers overview of public health indicators for residents of the state of Mississippi including mortality, teen birth rates, various health conditions, and vaccination. Discusses regulation and legislative changes, pharmaceutical programs, lab services, public health outreach, rural health and primary care, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and administrative updates.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Mississippi State Department of Health
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The University of Arizona Center for Rural Health Annual Report FY 2023-2024
Highlights the Center for Rural Health's accomplishments, and describes challenges and opportunities for improving the health of rural Arizonans in the upcoming year. Discusses the State Office of Rural Health, Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP), Arizona Rural Hospital Flexibility program (AzFLEX), Arizona Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (AzSHIP), and other programs.
Date: 2024
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Center for Rural Health
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"I Don't Think That a Medication Is Going to Help Someone Long-Term Stay off Opioids": Treatment and Recovery Beliefs of Rural Vermont Family Members of People with Opioid Use Disorder
Examines beliefs related to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and recovery from the perspective of the family members of people with OUD. Analyzes interview data from 20 rural Vermont family members and discusses themes such as medication for OUD (MOUD), OUD treatment and mental health services, patient readiness for OUD treatment, and stigma.
Author(s): Catherine E. Peasley-Miklus, Julia G. Shaw, Katie Rosingana, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(4), 681-688
Date: 2024
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Primary Care Professionals' Perspectives on Tailoring Buprenorphine Training for Rural Practice
Interviewed 23 rural Ohio primary care professionals to identify barriers to prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment. Discusses the need for training addressing rural-specific barriers, limited patient access to required social supports, workforce, and stigma. Offers recommendations based on findings.
Author(s): Cheyenne Fenstemaker, Elizabeth A. Abrams, Benjamin Obringer, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(4), 671-680
Date: 2024
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Effectiveness of Syringe Services Programs
Presents a literature review of the studies evaluating SSP interventions across the country. Report aims to evaluate the overall efficacy of SSPs at reducing the transmission of HIV/HCV. Four of the 100 studies were conducted in completely rural settings, and 5 were conducted in both rural and urban settings. Makes recommendations for VA policy makers.
Additional links: Appendices, Executive Summary
Author(s): Katherine M. Mackey, Erin H. Beech, Beth E. Williams, et al.
Date: 12/2023
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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