One of four issue briefs related to the full length report entitled "Shaping Youth Behavior: Impact of School Environments on Physical Activity and Food Choices" designed to reinforce the points presented in this report in a concise and accessible format. These issue briefs contain best practices, relevant action steps, and a resource list that points the reader to supporting information. They are ideal for printing and distributing to stakeholders, policymakers, and other interested parties.
This Project Brief provides a quick snapshot of the "Veggies for ME!" program designed by staff at the Muskie School, The Maine Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to promote vegetable consumption among WIC participants and their families.
The purpose of the project described in this paper was to assess and describe the food environment facing public assistance clients in a rural county in Maine. Using the concept of a "food desert" and an objective tool for rating participating food outlets, the research team developed a spatial model of client access to healthy foods. The final map shows that most rural residents are within acceptable distances of well-rated stores, though these may not be supermarkets. Research Highlights: "Food Deserts" are defined by distance to supermarkets as sources of healthy food. Stores of all types can be objectively rated for fresh, reasonably priced healthy food. Food deserts re-assessed through ratings may not be true deserts. Information campaigns based on ratings can identify local places and foods to meet consumer needs
The number of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) providing specialty mental health services remains limited. This study examined changes in the delivery of mental health services by RHCs, their operational characteristics, barriers to the development of services, and policy options to encourage more RHCs to deliver mental health services. Key Findings: Approximately 6% of independent and 2% of provider-based RHCs offer mental health services by doctoral-level psychologists and/or clinical social workers. Models used to provide mental health services include contracted and/or employed clinicians housed in the same facility as primary care providers. A key element in the development of mental health services is the presence of an internal champion (typically clinicians or senior administrators) who identify the need for and undertake implementation of services, help overcome internal barriers, and direct resources to the development of services.
This report is a synthesis of peer-reviewed literature related to medication management for chronic care patients and for patients experiencing transitions in their care. The synthesis report identifies strategies and interventions for improving medication prescribing practices, maintaining adherence to drug regimens, and promoting better health outcomes.
This chartbook presents an analysis of the most recent national data on health insurance coverage based on a county's proximity to a large urban area--an important factor discriminating rural residents' access to economic opportunities and health care services. The first section of the chartbook addresses the questions of whether and by how much health insurance coverage and soures of health coverage differ among people living in rural vs. urban communities. Sections II and III examine differences in the socio-economic and employment characteristics of those living in two groups of rural counties vs. all urban counties. The final section discusses the policy implications of these findings.
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