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Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center Publications

2017

Identifying Variability in Patient Characteristics and Prevalence of Emergency Department Utilization for Mental Health Diagnoses in Rural and Urban Communities
Patients needing behavioral healthcare can get more appropriate, cost-effective treatment if they are redirected from emergency departments (EDs). This study examined whether a larger proportion of rural versus urban patients went to went to EDs.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S., Peterson, M.
Publication: The Journal of Rural Health
Date: October 2017
Type: Journal Article
Home is Where the Heart Is: Insights on the Coordination and Delivery of Home Health Services in Rural America
Access to home health in rural areas is an important public policy concern, particularly with the growing number of older adults residing in rural America. This qualitative study seeks to better understand how home health services are provided in rural areas, and identifies facilitators and barriers to providing care.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Knudson, A., Anderson, B., Schueler, K., Arsen, E.
Date: August 2017
Type: Policy Brief
Use of the Emergency Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Women
A study by the Rural Health Reform Research Center shows that women with mental health (MH) and substance abuse (SA) issues are putting a strain on emergency departments (EDs). This study helps identify trends among women in rural and urban communities who utilize the ED for MH/SA. The information can be used to help communities provide more relevant, appropriate, and less costly care.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S., Peterson, M., Jaeger, J.
Date: July 2017
Type: Fact Sheet
Rural and Urban Utilization of the Emergency Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Utilizes data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's State Emergency Department Databases for seven states. Researchers explore, and describe in this brief, the use of the Emergency Department for mental health and substance abuse among Urban, Large Rural, Small Rural, and Isolated Small Rural residents.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S., Peterson, M.
Date: June 2017
Type: Policy Brief

2016

Chart Book and Interactive Data: Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences
Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences contains visual aids which display indicators of mortality rates by age group, rural-urban status, region, and sex (for populations 15 years of age and older) cross-referenced to tables and statistical results. Individual data tables are available, as well as online tools which allow you to interact with the data and select variables of interest. Data and visuals are presented for 10 leading causes of death for each age group as reported by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Knudson, A., Meit, M., Tanenbaum, E., Brady, J., Gilbert, T., Klug, M., Arsen, E., Popat, S., Schroeder, S.
Date: March 2016
Type: Resource
Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality
Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences examines the impact of rurality on mortality and explores regional differences in mortality rates. This study used a quantitative analysis approach drawing upon the data available from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) at CDC WONDER. Exploring Rural and Urban Mortality Differences contains visual aids which displays indicators of mortality rates by cause of death (multiple cause of death), age group, rural-urban status, region, and sex for populations 15 years of age and older cross-referenced to tables and statistical results.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Knudson, A., Meit, M., Tanenbaum, E., Brady, J., Gilbert, T., Klug, M., Arsen, E., Popat, S., Schroeder, S.
Date: February 2016
Type: Report

2015

Perspectives of Rural Hospice Directors
Examines hospice care within a rural context, including issues regarding regulations, finance/reimbursement, workforce, general rural issues, relationships with other organizations, and technology. Identifies concerns of hospice directors in rural settings.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Gibbens, B., Schroeder, S., Knudson, A. and Hart, G.
Date: March 2015
Type: Policy Brief
Policy Brief: Use and Performance Variations in U.S. Rural Emergency Departments: Implications for Improving Care Quality and Reducing Costs
Rural areas have a higher prevalence of subpopulations (younger, low income, and uninsured) that use the Emergency Department (ED) for non-emergent purposes than urban areas. ZIP Code areas with fewer than five primary care physicians per 10,000 had populations that were more likely to use those EDs for non-emergent conditions.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Jonk, Y., Klug, M., & Hart, G.
Date: February 2015
Type: Policy Brief

2014

The 2014 Update of the Rural-Urban Chartbook
The Chartbook presents information on population demographics, health-related behaviors and risk factors, age-specific and cause-specific mortality, access to care, health insurance coverage, mental health, and other health-related topics for U.S. residents across levels of rural and urban status. The data presented in this new Chartbook were collected prior to implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), providing baseline measurements for key aspects of health from which to measure future ACA-associated changes. Individual data tables are available in an Excel file.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Meit, M., Knudson, A., Gilbert, T., Tzy-Chyi Yu, A., Tanenbaum, E., Ormson, E., TenBroeck, S., Bayne, A., Popat, S., & NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: October 2014
Type: Report
Policy Brief: Rural-Urban Disparities in Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming about 600,000 lives annually. This policy brief highlights rural-urban disparities in heart disease and focuses on three measures: 1) death rates for ischemic heart disease (IHD) among persons 20 years of age and older, 2) obesity among persons 18 years of age and older, and 3) physical inactivity during leisure time among persons 18 years of age and older.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Knudson, A., Meit, M., & Popat, S.
Date: October 2014
Type: Policy Brief

2013

Hospice Workforce: An Annotated Review of the Literature
Contains an annotated review of hospice workforce literature published between 2000 and 2013. Review was completed to assist in identifying hospice provider types for a hospice workforce study to be completed by the Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S.
Date: November 2013
Type: Report
Rural Hospice in the United States: A Review of the Literature
Explores the current environment of rural hospice care in the United States. This review provides a discussion of the current structure of hospice services as well as a formal review of current (2000-2013) rural research on the topic.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S.
Date: October 2013
Type: Report
Rural Hospice in the United States: An Annotated Review of the Literature
Contains an annotated review of hospice literature published between 2000 and 2013; specifically, resources that have addressed rural hospice care, access, and utilization. The presentation of information begins with an overview of hospice organizations and agencies cited most frequently in the literature along with a discussion of their most recent research.
Project: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
Author(s): Schroeder, S.
Date: October 2013
Type: Report