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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Prescription drug misuse

Improving Methadone Access for Rural Communities in the USA: Lessons Learned from Covid-19 Adaptations and International Models of Care
Explores the effect of changes to methadone treatment protocols for opioid use disorder in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on access to treatment in rural areas. Discusses telehealth, dispensing schedules, and distribution models before and during the pandemic.
Author(s): Jamey J Lister, Holly H Lister
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(4)
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
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Long-acting Buprenorphine Injectables: Opportunity to Improve Opioid Use Disorder Treatment among Rural Populations
Explores a study on the potential effect long-acting buprenorphine injectables could have on access to treatment of opioid use disorder in rural areas. Discusses the functionality of the medication, as well as the different patient populations and healthcare settings that could potentially benefit from them.
Author(s): Michelle R.Lofwall, Laura C.Fanucchi
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 152(2), 106756
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
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Overdose Response and Linkage to Care: A Roadmap for Health Departments
Shares resources and tools organized around 7 strategies for state and local health departments to implement that focus on linking individuals at risk of opioid overdose to care. Includes rural-specific considerations, examples, and resources throughout.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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County Data Highlight Links between Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome and Placement of Infants in Foster Care
Explores the relationship between neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and the rate of children entering the foster care system. Summarizes county-level data from eight states and highlights community level factors such as maternal education, healthcare, and rurality, among others.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategy
Examines trends in overdose deaths between 1999 and 2019. Describes the development and four priority areas of the new Overdose Prevention Strategy, as well as objectives for each priority area. Highlights examples of programs that address substance use disorder prevention and treatment in rural areas.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Behavioral Health Equity Report 2021
Provides a breakdown and discussion of data drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2019. Details youth and adult mental health and substance use indicators by race and ethnicity, income level, and metro or nonmetro county, among others.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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2021 Report to Congress on the State Opioid Response Grants (SOR)
Report details the outcomes of state opioid response (SOR) grants to Congress. Highlights demographic breakdown of people served by SOR programs and discusses key accomplishments by state/territory. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Trends in and Characteristics of Buprenorphine Misuse Among Adults in the US
Results of a study to identify prescription opioids that are most frequently misused, examine differences in motivations for misuse between buprenorphine and nonbuprenorphine prescription opioids, and explore trends in and factors associated with buprenorphine misuse among people with or without opioid use disorder. Features statistics on sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and behavioral health status among adults with past-year buprenorphine use, with breakdowns by large metropolitan, small metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Beth Han, Christopher M. Jones, Emily B. Einstein, Wilson M. Compton
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(10)
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
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New Hampshire Baseline Needs Assessment: Practitioner Comfort Treating Substance Use Disorder
Shares the results of a needs assessment survey of healthcare providers working in rural New Hampshire regarding their level of comfort treating patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs).
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Tribal Opioid Response: Strategic Plan 2020-2022
Reports on the findings of the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Tribal Opioid Response project – a two-year project focused on developing a program to reduce opioid overdose, opioid use disorder, and stimulant use disorder among American Indian populations residing in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and the Piikani Nation. A review of available data and survey results, and a SWOT analysis were conducted to assist in project development. Common themes included: increase prevention through cultural activities and education; reduce barriers to medication assisted treatment; promote harm reduction strategies; offer safe syringe services; and establish partnerships for improved access to opioid data.
Date: 09/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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