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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Prescription drug misuse

Opioids in Medicaid: Concerns About Opioid Use Among Beneficiaries in Six Appalachian States in 2018
Examines the rates of opioid use of Medicaid beneficiaries in 6 Appalachian states in 2018. Discusses the amount of the prescriptions issued, the amounts of opioids received, and the amount of providers with questionable prescribing practices, among other opioid-related measures.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Few Patients Received High Amounts of Opioids from IHS-Run Pharmacies
Presents an evaluation of the opioid prescribing practices of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Bases analysis on IHS opioid prescribing data, discusses the role of electronic health records (EHRs) in monitoring opioid prescriptions, and makes recommendations to improve monitoring.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Addressing Opioid Overdose Deaths: The Vision for the HEALing Communities Study
Highlights a study on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ongoing HEALing Communities Study (HCS), which began in 2019 with the goal of reducing opioid overdose deaths by 40% over 3 years. Discusses the intersection of the two crises across the country and discusses the variations in rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Redonna K. Chandlera, Jennifer Villani, Thomas Clarke, et al.
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 217, 108329
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Buprenorphine Dispensing in an Epicenter of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic: A Case Study of the Rural Risk Environment in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores buprenorphine dispensing practices among pharmacists in rural, Appalachian Kentucky, highlighting issues related to buprenorphine dispensing hesitancy. Identifies themes from interviews with 14 pharmacists operating in 12 rural, Appalachian Kentucky counties and discusses dispensing risk environment. Reviews factors influencing hesitancy, including national and state-level drug policy, stigma, and continuing impacts of the opioid epidemic.
Author(s): Hannah LF Cooper, David H. Cloud, Patricia R. Freeman, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Drug Policy, 85, 102701
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Models of Tribal Promising Practices: Tribal Opioid Overdose Prevention Care Coordination and Data Systems
Presents models of tribal care coordination promising practices that address opioid use disorder (OUD) in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. Discusses barriers to treatment and the need for culturally competent healthcare for AI/AN persons with OUD.
Author(s): Maya Magarati, Raquel Aviles, Christina E. Oré, et al.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Seven Directions - A Center for Indigenous Public Health
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Supporting Children and Families Affected by the Opioid Epidemic - Emerging Policy Considerations
Explores the effect of the opioid crisis on children and their families and makes policy recommendations. Breaks down rural and urban differences in opioid use and access to behavioral healthcare and discusses the policy implications of those differences.
Author(s): Laudan Y. Aron, Sarah Benatar, Rebecca Peters
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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Substance Use among Rural and Urban Youth and Young Adults
Details substance use of youth aged 12-17 and young adults aged 18-25 in rural and urban areas. Looks specifically on use of alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs, and the misuse of prescription pain relievers and compares usage trends in rural areas to those in urban areas.
Author(s): Jennifer Lenardson, Nathan Paluso, Erika Ziller
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Addressing Opioid Use Disorder among Rural Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Study Protocol
Explores a study examining the rates of prenatal opioid use disorder and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in rural areas. Study includes provider-level measurements such as patient retention, adoption of evidence-based practices, and attitude towards substance misuse, among others, and patient-level measurements such as substances used, co-occurring conditions, and birth outcomes, among others.
Author(s): M. Aryana Bryan, Marcela C. Smid, Melissa Cheng, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 15, 33
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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A Non-Randomized Pilot Study to Test the Feasibility of Treating Chronic Pain and Opioid Prescription Use in Rural Areas with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (T-PACT)
Describes a pilot study examining research feasibility, methods, and processes for administering acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a treatment for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and a possible alternative to prescribed opioids. The research team included four Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs that administered the study in rural areas of New Mexico, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky. Discusses survey data and lessons learned from the pilot study, including unexpected barriers to participation.
Author(s): Robert L Rhyne, Heidi Rishel Brakey, Jacquie R. Halladay, et al.
Citation: Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 4(5), 472-476
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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21st Century Cures Mobile Crisis Teams
Findings brief evaluating mobile crisis teams dedicated to addressing opioid and other substance use, especially in rural communities of Indiana. Discusses barriers and facilitators to implementing and operating mobile crisis teams, and offers recommendations.
Author(s): Beca Stockman, Staci Rising, Karla Camacho-Reyes
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Indiana University Public Policy Institute
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