This research reports on national and state rates and trends for traumatic brain injury (TBI) related deaths caused by unintentional falls. It includes data by decedent characteristics, including location in a metropolitan or nonmetro area. Read more here.
The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy
This project describes successful strategies to recruit and retain behavioral health workers in rural areas, based on phone interviews with state-level experts in rural health and behavioral health. It explores financial incentives, education and training programs, telehealth, licensure or scope of practice changes, innovative state approaches, and policy considerations. Read more here.
Depressed, Rural Moms Face Greater Health Challenges—and so Do Their Kids
This article summarizes research that found rural, low-income mothers with chronic depression were likely to experience more health problems and face challenges in dealing with their children’s behavioral problems. It discusses how physician distrust and stigma keep rural mothers from seeking mental health treatment. Read more here.
Working to Advance the Health of Rural Americans: An Update from the ABFM
This article covers existing disparities between the health of rural and urban Americans and describes research from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) on the role of Family Physicians (FPs) in improving rural healthcare delivery. It includes proposed solutions from the ABFM to maintain the presence of FPs in rural areas. Read it here.
Exploring Opportunities to Leverage Pharmacists in Rural Areas to Promote Administration of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
Abstract
Rural pharmacists have been identified as potential partners, along with health care providers, schools, and public health agencies, in administering and promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. We sought to understand the role of pharmacists in this work. We interviewed 11 pharmacists working at independently owned pharmacies in Iowa to explore their perspectives on HPV vaccine administration and promotion. Most pharmacists agreed that HPV vaccination was within their professional scope. They identified factors that facilitate vaccine administration (eg, accessibility of pharmacies). They also reported personal barriers (eg, lack of information, concerns about safety) and organizational barriers (eg, time and staff capacity). Future work should focus on alleviating barriers and building on strengths to improve vaccination rates and ultimately prevent HPV-related cancers.
Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP
March 13, 2020
This report presents the Commission’s analysis of three policy issues of interest
to Congress:
• Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments that support
the nation’s safety-net hospitals;
• state reporting on the quality of care provided to individuals with either
Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as
required under the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes
Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of
2018 (P.L. 115-271) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-
123); and
• the timeliness and quality of evaluations of Medicaid demonstrations.
Vital Signs: Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Use — United States, 2018
From The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer death among cancers affecting men and women, reduces incidence and mortality. The percentage of persons who report being up to date with CRC screening has increased, but not equally among all populations. Continue reading the full report
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Request
March 18, 2020
SUMMARY:
For the “Opioid Management in Older Adults” project, AHRQ is seeking to identify innovative approaches to managing opioid medications for chronic pain that are particularly relevant for older adults. Use of long-term opioid therapy in older adults can be especially problematic because of increased risks such as delirium, falls, and dementia.
Learn how to submit here.
Those Living in Rural Areas, Uninsured or on Medicaid Less Likely to Receive Recommended Lung Cancer Treatment
This article summarizes a study that found lung cancer patients were less likely to receive chemotherapy if they lived in rural areas or were on Medicaid or uninsured. Researchers describe that rural residents are more likely to have to travel long distances for follow-up treatment. Read more here.
Why Coronavirus Could Hit Rural Areas Harder
Daily Yonder, March 24, 2020
By Shannon Monnat Transmission rates may be lower in rural areas, the percentage of cases resulting in death and other serious complications could be higher in rural than in urban areas.
As rates of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection and death continue to rise, it is important to consider how rural areas may be differentially affected. On the one hand, rural parts of the U.S. may be comparatively better off than urban places due to lower population density in rural areas. Lower population density reduces opportunities for virus spread. On the other hand, there are several features of rural populations and places that increase their risk of coronavirus-related mortality and other long-term health impacts.
These include the realities that rural populations are older and have higher rates of several chronic health conditions, and rural areas have a less robust health care infrastructure to deal with coronavirus cases. Rural economies may also be affected in different ways than their urban counterparts, which has implications for long-term rural population health outcomes.