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Rural Response to the Opioid Crisis – Resources

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

At the Front Lines in Tennessee: Rural Clinic Offers Trauma-Informed Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Describes the work of a rural Tennessee physician who uses medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy sessions to treat patients struggling with substance use disorder. Explores the connection between adverse childhood experiences and substance abuse, and stigma associated with seeking treatment.
Author(s): Mariel Gingrich
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Tailoring Crisis Response and Pre-arrest Diversion Models for Rural Communities
Outlines a guide for rural communities to develop crisis response and pre-arrest diversion programs for people with mental health or substance use disorders. Discusses the use of technology to connect law enforcement with behavioral health programs, as well as building off of current programs to address the specific needs of the community.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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How the Federal Government Supports State and Local Efforts to Improve Rural Health: A Q&A with Tom Morris
Provides a Q&A with Tom Morris, associate administrator of rural health policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Focuses on how government agencies are addressing rural hospital closures, population health, rural workforce development, and the opioid epidemic.
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Binge Drinking and Prescription Opioid Misuse in the U.S., 2012-2014
Explores the relationship between binge drinking and opioid misuse. Analyzes data from the 2012-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and presents data by age, race, and rural versus urban status, among other measures.
Author(s): Marissa B. Esser, Gery P. Guy Jr., Kun Zhang, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Date: 06/2019
Type: Document
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Regional and Rural–Urban Variation in Opioid Prescribing in the Veterans Health Administration
Examines geographic variation in opioid prescribing patterns at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, including by region and for rural and urban veterans. Addresses opioids prescribed per capita, prescription incidence, length of use, and prevalence of use. Includes a chart showing rural/urban per capita prescriptions over time.
Author(s): Brian C. Lund, Michael E. Ohl, Katherine Hadlandsmyth, Hilary J. Mosher
Citation: Military Medicine
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
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Understanding the Public Health Consequences of Suspending a Rural Syringe Services Program: A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of People Who Inject Drugs
Details a study on the public health outcomes associated with discontinuing syringe services programs (SSPs) in rural areas where people who inject drugs (PWIDs) are prevalent. Focuses on the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in West Virginia.
Author(s): Sean T. Allen, Suzanne M. Grieb, Allison O'Rourke, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 16
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
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Opioids in Appalachia: The Role of Counties in Reversing a Regional Epidemic
Details the state of the opioid epidemic in Appalachia and presents recommendations to help county leaders respond to the opioid crisis. Features individual county case studies highlighting the challenges and strategies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
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Pain Management for People with Serious Illness in the Context of the Opioid Use Disorder Epidemic: Proceedings of a Workshop
Reports on a workshop with multiple stakeholders discussing pain management in the context of the opioid misuse epidemic. Reviews the opioid epidemic, how responses to it have affected people with serious illness and pain, the pain management needs of people with substance use disorder, policy responses, and next steps. Includes a few examples from rural areas and addresses some challenges specific to rural.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Collaborative Models for Medication-Assisted Treatment: Key Elements of Vermont's Hub-and Spoke System
Describes the collaborative effort of three health-related organizations who partnered to develop and implement a medication assisted therapy (MAT) treatment practice using the hub and spoke model. This system was supported through a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Home State Plan amendment for Vermont, a mostly rural state, to modify their current MAT services to increase access to addiction treatment, integrate health and addictions care, improve health outcomes, and promote recovery.
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program (IAP)
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Community Pharmacies as Access Points for Addiction Treatment
Investigates the distribution of community pharmacies in rural and urban counties of Wisconsin and the connection it has on county-level opioid-related overdose death rates and the number of treatment facilities.
Author(s): Kevin A. Look, Mercedes Kile, Katie Morgan, Andrew Roberts
Citation: Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy, 15(4), 404-409
Date: 04/2019
Type: Document
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Last Updated: 5/7/2024