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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Substance use and misuse

MACPAC Response to Senate Finance Committee Request for Information on Behavioral Health
Summarizes the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) ongoing analysis of behavioral health in Medicaid and CHIP and offers policy recommendations. Discusses the behavioral health workforce; behavioral healthcare service delivery and access; mental health parity; telehealth; and improving access for children and youth. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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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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Recruitment and Retention Issues for Counselors in Rural Pennsylvania Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs
Results of a study of Pennsylvania substance use disorder (SUD) counselors and directors of treatment programs and clinics, to assess the characteristics of treatment counselors in rural Pennsylvania counties and how those characteristics relate to recruitment and retention issues. Also examines how well higher education institutions in rural counties prepare those entering the profession, and analyzes the effectiveness of state-level incentives, like the student loan repayment program, to attract potential SUD counselors. Features statistics on counselors' characteristics and duties, and client characteristics.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Jennifer Murphy
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Addressing Rural Co-Morbidities of Mental Health and Social Conditions
Three-part webinar series discusses the way mental and social co-morbidities can compound already existing barriers to mental healthcare in rural areas. Part One: Employing Treatment and Environmental Interventions to Support Rural Populations explores how rural areas shape mental health needs and interventions. Part Two: Supporting Rural Aging Populations addresses the social and mental health needs of rural elders. Part Three: Using Faith Supports to Increase Mental Health in Rural Communities details the role communities and leaders of faith can play in supporting mental health interventions.
Additional links: Part 1 Slides, Part 1 Video Recording, Part 2 Slides, Part 2 Video Recording, Part 3 Slides, Part 3 Video Recording
Author(s): Ken Flanagan
Date: 10/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
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Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers
Recording of a U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing on legislation related to funding for behavioral and mental health services for the healthcare workforce; a loan repayment program for local, state, and tribal public health professionals; increasing diversity in allied health professions; improving health outcomes in underserved communities through the use of community health workers; and more. Includes testimony from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Augusta University, Ballad Health, and others.
Additional links: Alan Levine, Ballad Health - Testimony, Brooks A. Keel, Augusta University - Testimony, Lisa Macon Harrison, National Association of County and City Health Officials - Testimony
Date: 10/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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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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Racial/Ethnic Differences in Substance Use, Substance Use Disorders, and Substance Use Treatment Utilization among People Aged 12 or Older (2015-2019)
Report showing rates of substance use, substance use disorders, and substance use treatment utilization by race and ethnicity, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. Breaks down data drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2019.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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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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