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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Rural Hospital Transitional Care Program Reduces Medicare Spending
Evaluates the impact of a weekly transitional care intervention, conducted by phone for recently discharged patients, on service use and spending among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries at a community-based hospital in rural Worcester County, Maryland.
Author(s): Keith Kranker, Linda M. Barterian, Rumin Sarwar, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Managed Care, 24(5), 256-260
Date: 05/2018
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The Validation of a School-Based, Culturally Grounded Drug Prevention Curriculum for Rural Hawaiian Youth
Details a study of a school-based drug prevention curriculum designed to be relevant to rural Native Hawaiian youth. Bases findings on faculty interviews. Breaks down the data by participants' sex, age, and position within the school.
Author(s): Scott K. Okamoto, Susana Helm, Lindsey K. Ostrowski, Lucille Flood
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 19(3), 369-376
Date: 05/2018
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Active Ottumwa: Adapting Evidence-Based Recommendations to Promote Physical Activity in a Micropolitan New Destination Community
Reports on the development of an evidence-based community-wide intervention promoting physical activity in Ottumwa, Iowa, a micropolitan community of nearly 25,000 people. This program, Active Ottumwa, utilizes lay health advisors and incorporates behavioral and social intervention approaches to improve health. Evaluation procedures for this study include a community survey, longitudinal cohort assessment, observational data, interviews, and project records.
Author(s): Barbara Baquero, Christine M. Kava, Sato Ashida, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(5), 917
Date: 05/2018
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Implementation of the MEDFRAT to Promote Quality Care and Decrease Falls in Community Hospital Emergency Rooms
Examines the implementation of Memorial Emergency Department Fall-Risk Assessment Tool (MEDFRAT), an evidence based fall-risk assessment tool, in 12 emergency departments part of a rural health care system in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Author(s): Catherine A. McCarty, Theo A. Woehrle, Stephen C. Waring, Allise M. Taran, Laura A. Kitch
Citation: Journal of Emergency Nursing, 44(3), 280-284
Date: 05/2018
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Running the Numbers: County Level Dynamics of Heroin Mortality in North Carolina
Presents a study on opioid overdose mortality in North Carolina. Compares counties that have higher rates of overdose mortality with those with lower rates and aims to identify the factors that contribute to those rates.
Author(s): Alexander H Gunn, Bryce Bartlett, Grace Feng, et al.
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 79(3), 195-200
Date: 05/2018
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As Fatal Overdoses Rise, Many Americans See Drug Addiction as a Major Problem in Their Community
Highlights the results of a Pew Research Center survey on fatal drug overdoses and public concern about the opioid crisis. Features data comparing rural, urban, and suburban areas.
Author(s): John Gramlich
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Pew Research Center
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ThedaCare: Leveraging Community Paramedics To Bridge Persistent Gaps in Care
Describes ThedaCare, a 2016 participant in the Transforming Complex Care initiative from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Center for Health Care Strategies, a community paramedic (CP) program that works to extend the reach of clinic services to medically and socially complex patients in Northeastern Wisconsin. Discusses program goals, steps to establishing the CP program, and sustainability.
Author(s): Naomi Freundlich
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Immigrant Health Policy Paper
Policy position brief about new immigrants in rural areas, in terms of health care access, health disparities, economic contributions, health care facilities and Community Health Workers, and service strategies to benefit immigrants. Includes case studies of immigrants in Minnesota and immigrants employed in the meat-processing industry and in rural farming.
Author(s): Susan Kunz, April Fernandez, Matt Gilleskie, et al.
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Addressing Health and Health Care Needs in the United States-Mexico Border Region
Policy position brief describing geography and demographics of the border region, population health and healthcare issues, factors contributing to the health crisis, public policy implications, and suggestions for addressing needs. Comprises Executive Summary and Full Report.
Author(s): Brian Lady, Carrie Henning-Smith, Susan Kunz
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: Opportunities Exist to Enhance Federal Agency Needs Assessment and Coordination on Tribal Projects
Reports on the state of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on tribal lands. Features recommendations for the Indian Health Service and the USDA to address these needs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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