Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Pharmacy and prescription drugs
Postoperative Pain Management in Rural Communities
Describes the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence's approach to addressing opioid overprescribing after surgery. Discusses topics including provider engagement, patient empowerment and effective communication strategies, and rural implementation concerns.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence
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Describes the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence's approach to addressing opioid overprescribing after surgery. Discusses topics including provider engagement, patient empowerment and effective communication strategies, and rural implementation concerns.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence
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MedPAC Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, 2026
Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Mapping Social Vulnerability and Proximity to Pharmacies in Minnesota, 2009–2024
Analyzes the relationship between pharmacy deserts and social vulnerability across Minnesota. Utilizes Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and geocoded data to examine the relationship among social vulnerability, access to pharmacy, and urban, metro, or nonmetro location. Includes census-tract level Minnesota map showing social vulnerability and access to pharmacies.
Author(s): Emma Goldner, Emily Styles, Lindsay Sorge, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes the relationship between pharmacy deserts and social vulnerability across Minnesota. Utilizes Minnesota Board of Pharmacy and geocoded data to examine the relationship among social vulnerability, access to pharmacy, and urban, metro, or nonmetro location. Includes census-tract level Minnesota map showing social vulnerability and access to pharmacies.
Author(s): Emma Goldner, Emily Styles, Lindsay Sorge, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23
Date: 07/2026
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Rural Health and Health Disparities in Hypertension Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Discusses factors influencing the high rural prevalence of hypertension and highlights approaches for improving rural hypertension management. Covers topics including nonmedical drivers of health, access to services, medication access and use, nutrition and food insecurity, telehealth, and culturally-tailored service delivery.
Author(s): Cassandra D. Ford, Natalie A. Cameron, Donald Clark, et al.
Citation: Hypertension
Date: 06/2026
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Discusses factors influencing the high rural prevalence of hypertension and highlights approaches for improving rural hypertension management. Covers topics including nonmedical drivers of health, access to services, medication access and use, nutrition and food insecurity, telehealth, and culturally-tailored service delivery.
Author(s): Cassandra D. Ford, Natalie A. Cameron, Donald Clark, et al.
Citation: Hypertension
Date: 06/2026
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Receipt of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Among Rural Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Excess Weight
Analyzes how receipt of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) varies among rural and urban-dwelling veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and excess weight, using 2018-2023 Veterans Health Administration data.
Author(s): Aristotle G. Leonhard, Kevin Josey, Jason M. Castaneda, et al.
Citation: Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 23(7), 1087-1096
Date: 06/2026
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Analyzes how receipt of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) varies among rural and urban-dwelling veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and excess weight, using 2018-2023 Veterans Health Administration data.
Author(s): Aristotle G. Leonhard, Kevin Josey, Jason M. Castaneda, et al.
Citation: Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 23(7), 1087-1096
Date: 06/2026
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Connection for a Cure: How Broadband Access Supports Telehealth Use
Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Describes broadband access, the impact it has on telehealth utilization, and the impact of telehealth on health outcomes. Highlights various state and federal policy measures addressing broadband and telehealth access, the Rural Health Transformation Program, reimbursement, cross-state licensure flexibility, teleprescribing, and emergency medical services.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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Preventing Death and Supporting Recovery, with Ray Antonacci and Sarah Czarnecki
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Lincoln County Ambulance District Chief Ray Antonacci and Battalion Chief Sarah Czarnecki. Focuses on a new initiative allowing them to administer buprenorphine to incarcerated individuals experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Part 1 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Lincoln County Ambulance District Chief Ray Antonacci and Battalion Chief Sarah Czarnecki. Focuses on a new initiative allowing them to administer buprenorphine to incarcerated individuals experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Part 1 in a 3-part series featuring the 2026 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Innovation Tank finalists.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A Pilot Evaluation of a Telemedicine Pharmacist-Physician Management Model to Increase Access to Medication for Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorders for Rural Veterans
Explores the efficacy of a pilot project connecting rural veterans with alcohol and opioid use disorder to evidence-based treatment via a telehealth-based pharmacist-physician management model (PPMM). Program was administered by six Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Breaks down data by participant age, sex, substances used, and mental health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Amy J. Kennedy, Madeline C. Frost, Carol A. Malte, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70158
Date: 05/2026
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Explores the efficacy of a pilot project connecting rural veterans with alcohol and opioid use disorder to evidence-based treatment via a telehealth-based pharmacist-physician management model (PPMM). Program was administered by six Veterans Health Administration (VHA) primary care community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Breaks down data by participant age, sex, substances used, and mental health disorders, among other measures.
Author(s): Amy J. Kennedy, Madeline C. Frost, Carol A. Malte, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70158
Date: 05/2026
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Why Are Massachusetts Opioid Prescribing Rates Higher in Rural Versus Urban Areas?
Examines opioid prescribing trends in Massachusetts according to metro versus nonmetro patient characteristics, facility and provider availability, opioid supply and demand, and more. Utilizes 2010-2014 Massachusetts All-Payer Claims (MAPC) data and discusses the factors that lead to geographic differences in opioid prescribing.
Author(s): Alicia Sasser Modestino, Gary J. Young, Mahmudul Hasan, Jiesheng Shi, Noor E. Alam
Citation: PLoS One, 21(5), e0349247
Date: 05/2026
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Examines opioid prescribing trends in Massachusetts according to metro versus nonmetro patient characteristics, facility and provider availability, opioid supply and demand, and more. Utilizes 2010-2014 Massachusetts All-Payer Claims (MAPC) data and discusses the factors that lead to geographic differences in opioid prescribing.
Author(s): Alicia Sasser Modestino, Gary J. Young, Mahmudul Hasan, Jiesheng Shi, Noor E. Alam
Citation: PLoS One, 21(5), e0349247
Date: 05/2026
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Where Primary Care and Clinical Pharmacy Services 'Intersect': Louisiana Program Helps Patients Understand and Manage Medications
Features a program at Arbor Family Health in Louisiana that connects chronic disease patients with nurse health coaches and clinical pharmacists. Shares how pharmacy faculty and students from the Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy conduct annual comprehensive medication reviews by phone.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features a program at Arbor Family Health in Louisiana that connects chronic disease patients with nurse health coaches and clinical pharmacists. Shares how pharmacy faculty and students from the Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy conduct annual comprehensive medication reviews by phone.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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