This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis.

Rural-Urban Differences in Hospitalizations for Opioid Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis in the United States, 2003-2016
Using 2003-2016 National Inpatient Sample data compares trends between rural and urban populations in hospitalization for opioid use-associated infective endocarditis, a serious heart infection that can result from injection drug use.
Author(s): E. Katherine Nenninger, Jenny L. Carwile, Katherine A. Ahrens, Brett Armstrong, Kinna Thakarar
Citation: Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 7(2)
Date: 02/2020
view details
Syringe Service Program Use Among People Who Inject Drugs in Appalachian Kentucky
Explores implementation of a harm reduction program for people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in rural Kentucky. Evaluates the efficacy of a syringe service program at reducing the transmission rates of HIV and HCV among PWIDs in Appalachian Kentucky.
Author(s): Hilary L. Surratt, Amy M. Cowley, Jennifer Gulley, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(1), 34-36
Date: 01/2020
view details
Preventing Opioid Overdose with Peer-Administered Naloxone: Findings from a Rural State
Highlights a study on the efficacy of peer-administered naloxone to prevent opioid overdose deaths. Bases conclusions on interviews with individuals who have received the training and the naloxone kits from a program in rural Alaska.
Author(s): Bridget L. Hanson, Rebecca R. Porter, Amanda L. Zöld, Heather Terhorst-Miller
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 17(1), 4
Date: 01/2020
view details
Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Fatal Opioid Overdoses in the United States: Findings from the Mortality Disparities in American Communities Study (MDAC)
Highlights a study that correlates demographic and socioeconomic status with opioid overdose fatalities. Draws data from the Mortality Disparities in American Community Study (MDAC) and compares results by rural/nonrural residence, race, employment, and educational attainment, among other measures.
Author(s): Sean F. Altekruse, Candace M. Cosgrove, William C. Altekruse, Richard A. Jenkins, Carlos Blanco
Citation: PLoS One, 15(1)
Date: 01/2020
view details
Rural Community Action Guide: Building Stronger, Healthy, Drug-Free Rural Communities
Provides an overview of challenges rural communities face related to substance use disorder (SUD), including prescription opioid misuse. Identifies action steps rural communities can take related to prevention, treatment, recovery, and SUD-related issues such as stigma, transportation barriers, and lack of employment opportunities. Features programs that are working to address these issues in rural communities.
Additional links: Promising Practices Supplement
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of National Drug Control Policy
view details
Trends in Opioids Prescribed at Discharge From Emergency Departments Among Adults: United States, 2006–2017
Examines trends in emergency department (ED) discharge opioid prescribing for adults from 2006–2007 through 2016–2017. Provides data by selected patient and hospital characteristics and the type of opioids prescribed. Table 1 includes data on the percent of ED patients prescribed an opioid at discharge by location of patient residence for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Pinyao Rui, Loredana Santo, Jill J. Ashman
Date: 01/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
view details
Associations Between Stopping Prescriptions for Opioids, Length of Opioid Treatment, and Overdose or Suicide Deaths in US Veterans: Observational Evaluation
Highlights a study on the correlation between halting treatment for opioid use disorder, length of treatment, and death from overdose or suicide among Veterans Health Administration patients. Breaks down data by age, sex, and rural status among other factors.
Author(s): Elizabeth M Oliva, Thomas Bowe, Ajay Manhapra, et al.
Citation: BMJ, 2020: m283
Date: 2020
view details
Does a Rural Community-Based Intervention Improve Knowledge and Attitudes of Opioid Use Disorder and Medication-Assisted Treatment? A Report From the IT MATTTRs Study
Details a study on the effect of a community-based intervention on a rural Colorado community's perception and knowledge of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Bases findings on surveys of community members both before and after the intervention. Breaks down participant data by age, race, and affiliation to the study, among other measures.
Author(s): Kristen Curcija, Linda Zittleman, Mary Fisher, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(1), 120-128
Date: 2020
view details
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes, 2019
Summarizes latest information on opioid prescribing, drug use, and overdose mortality from 2018-2019. Features statistics with breakdowns by large metropolitan, small metropolitan, non-metropolitan urbanized, non-metropolitan less urbanized, and completely rural. Highlights notable differences in the report from 2018 to 2019.
Additional links: Highlights
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
The Opioid Crisis and the Hispanic/Latino Population: An Urgent Issue
Report highlights the opioid crisis in Hispanic/Latino populations. Details rates of illicit opioid use and prescription drug misuse, as well as overdose and death rates. Discusses measures taken in to provide treatment and prevention in Latino communities, including in rural and border areas.
Date: 2020
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
view details

Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 4/15/2025