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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

Hazardous Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Harm in Rural and Remote Communities: A Scoping Review
Presents a review of studies exploring hazardous alcohol use and alcohol-related harm in rural and remote communities. Details the health effects and other negative outcomes of hazardous alcohol use and highlights correlations across rural communities.
Author(s): Erik Loewen Friesen, Jacob Bailey, Sarah Hyett, et al.
Citation: The Lancet Public Health, 7(2), E177-E187
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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New Hampshire Baseline Needs Assessment - Practitioners and Community Stakeholders
Identifies barriers to accessing treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) in New Hampshire. Bases conclusions on interview with practitioners and community stakeholders throughout the state. Discusses the impacts of COVID-19 on SUD treatment, beliefs about SUD treatment, and provides resources to assist practitioners.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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Mental Health Surveillance Among Children — United States, 2013–2019
Examines mental disorders and indicators of poor mental health among children, mental health services for children, and positive indicators of mental health, based on data from nine federal surveillance systems. Includes rural data on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; behavioral or conduct problems; depression; anxiety; autism spectrum disorder; Tourette syndrome; substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and/or illicit drug use disorder; suicidal ideation and suicide attempts; receipt of mental health treatment, services, and medication; and positive indicators of mental health.
Author(s): Rebecca H. Bitsko, Angelika H. Claussen, Jesse Lichstein, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Supplements, 71(2), 1-42
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Smoking, Rural Residence and Diabetes as Risk Factors for Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome
Investigates how smoking, geographical location, and diabetes impact presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) and associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) based on data from 751 adult patients during a 7-year period between January 2013 and December 2019. Includes data predictions to indicate whether there are connections between smoking, diabetes, and rural-urban locations for POHS and for POHS with CNV.
Author(s): Brad Richey, Rachel Obrock, Zachary M. Gee, et al.
Citation: Retina, 42(2), 369-374
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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Rural Health Research Recap: Opioid Use Disorder and Treatment: Rural-Urban Comparisons
Summary of research on opioid use disorder (OUD) among youth, young adults, and pregnant women, the impact of OUD on hospitals and emergency departments, and the use of buprenorphine and partial psychiatric hospitalization programs as treatment for OUD. Features statistics including population-adjusted emergency department rates per 100 people from 2005-2016 and opioid-related emergency room visit rates per 100,000 people in 2006 and 2013, with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): Per Ostmo
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Rural–Urban Differences in Behavioral Outcomes among Adults with Lifetime History of Traumatic Brain Injury with Loss of Consciousness: 2016–2019 Ohio BRFSS
Examines associations between rurality, traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC), alcohol use, and mental health issues. Includes statistical breakdowns of participants according to gender, age, race, and location, based on data from 16,941 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey respondents. Discusses access to healthcare and mental health services in rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Robyn Feiss, John D. Corrigan, Kele Ding, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1678
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial for a Multi-Level, Clinic-Based Smoking Cessation Program with Women in Appalachian Communities: Study Protocol for the "Break Free" Program
Results of a study to increase smoking cessation among women living in rural Appalachia, by embedding a smoking cessation program within a larger cervical cancer prevention program. Uses data from focus groups comprising 510 women from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Author(s): Joanne G. Patterson, Tia N. Borger, Jessica L. Burris, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 17(11)
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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Social Determinants of Mortality of COVID-19 and Opioid Overdose in American Rural and Urban Counties
Highlights a study on the social determinants of health that correlate with high COVID-19 and opioid overdose mortality in rural and urban counties. Breaks down county data by median income, unemployment, and healthcare workforce, among other factors.
Author(s): Yuhui Zhu, Zhe Fei, Larissa J. Mooney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Addiction Medicine, 16(1), e52-e55
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking Final Report
Reports on synthetic drug trafficking in the U.S., including the challenges for law enforcement, need for updated drug policy, and surveillance and data analysis concerns. Discusses public health considerations and challenges for reducing the demand for drugs via treatment. Technical Appendixes include rural references throughout, and Figure B.5 shows opioid-involved overdose deaths by Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) for 2000-2019.
Additional links: Technical Appendixes
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, RAND Corporation, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate
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Maine Baseline Needs Assessment: First Responders
Report highlights a the results of a baseline needs assessment identifying substance use disorder (SUD) treatment needs and barriers for rural first responders in Maine. Breaks down data by county, substances used, and rural versus non-rural areas.
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction
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