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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Prescription drug misuse

Association of Methamphetamine and Opioid Use With Nonfatal Overdose in Rural Communities
Study examining the incidence of nonfatal overdoses for people using methamphetamine and opioids alone and together, drawing data from National Rural Opioid Initiative surveys of people who use drugs in rural areas of 10 states. Presents findings related to prevalence of methamphetamine and opioid use, rates of use by race and ethnicity, and implications of the findings for harm reduction programs and treatment programs.
Author(s): P. Todd Korthuis, Ryan R. Cook, Canyon A. Foot, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(8), e2226544
Date: 08/2022
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Cumulative Barriers to Retention in Methadone Treatment Among Adults From Rural and Small Urban Communities
Highlights a study on the barriers to retention in methadone treatment for opioid use disorder in rural and small urban communities. Breaks down data by participant characteristics and treatment barriers, such as housing instability, lack of transportation, and physical and mental health needs, among others.
Author(s): Emily Pasman, Rachel Kollin, Michael Broman, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 35
Date: 07/2022
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The Rural Opioid Initiative Consortium Description: Providing Evidence to Understand the Fourth Wave of the Opioid Crisis
Highlights an initiative aimed at developing interventions to address rural opioid use. Collects data from rural areas in 10 states via surveys of people who use drugs and explores overlapping issues, such as other drug use, homelessness, and lack of access to treatment, among others.
Author(s): Richard A. Jenkins, Bridget M. Whitney, Robin M. Nance, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 17, 38
Date: 07/2022
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Geographic Trends in Opioid Overdoses in the US From 1999 to 2020
Results of a study examining trends in opioid-involved overdose death (OOD) rates in urban and rural counties. Explores OODs due to overprescription of opioids, use of heroin and illicit synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and stimulants in combination with synthetic opioids. Features statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Lori Ann Post, Alexander Lundberg, Charles B. Moss, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(7)
Date: 07/2022
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Fighting Fentanyl: The Federal Response to a Growing Crisis
Presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on the government's response to the fentanyl crisis. Includes testimonies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy regarding current efforts to address the expanding use of fentanyl across the U.S.
Additional links: Carole Johnson Testimony, Christopher Jones Testimony, Kemp Chester Testimony, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon Testimony
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Responding to a Surge in Overdose Deaths: Perspectives From US Syringe Services Programs
Highlights a study on the perspectives of syringe service program (SSP) leadership and staff regarding overdose deaths in the US. Bases conclusions on interviews done from February to March of 2021 and breaks down participant data by geographic region, distribution approach, and rurality, among others factors.
Author(s): Madeline C. Frost, Elizabeth J. Austin, Maria A. Corcorran, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19, 79
Date: 07/2022
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Wiping Away the Tears: Addressing Increasing Death in Rural America
Examines rural mortality trends and discusses the impact of the opioid epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, as well as rural maternal and infant mortality. Describes federally-funded efforts to address rural disparities.
Author(s): Whitney Zahnd
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Barriers and Facilitators Associated With Establishment of Emergency Department-Initiated Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder in Rural Maine
Presents a study on the barriers and facilitators for implementing programs that initiate buprenorphine treatment for patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) seeking care in critical access hospital (CAH) emergency departments (EDs) in rural Maine. Highlights findings of a survey of CAH ED directors on the challenges of implementing buprenorphine initiation programs.
Author(s): Noah K. Rosenberg, Alexander B. Hill, Lily Johnsky, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(3), 612-619
Date: 06/2022
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Introduction to Improving Telehealth and Virtual Care for Pain Management and Opioid/ Substance Use Disorder
Presents the proceedings of a meeting discussing the use of telehealth and virtual care to treat substance use disorder (SUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and to monitor pain management. Highlights the effect the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth use, regulation, and reimbursement. Features considerations for rural communities.
Date: 06/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Rural Health in Connecticut A Comprehensive Review of Social Determinants, Community Resources, Health Outcomes, and Wellbeing
Documents the nature of public health for Connecticut's rural populations with a focus on trends, to understand how these populations are changing. Features chapters on social determinants of health, healthcare systems, health risks and behaviors, and health outcomes.
Author(s): Kelly Davila, Camille Seaberry
Date: 06/2022
Sponsoring organization: DataHaven
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