Barriers to HIV/STI Services and Service Access Preferences Among Rural Sexual Minority Men and Native American Men in Oklahoma.

HIV and STI incidence are disproportionately elevated among sexual minority men (SMM) and Native American (NA) men in rural Oklahoma. The present study is a formative assessment of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma (e-HERO) project, which is part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative. EHE has an overarching goal of reducing incidence rates of HIV and STIs in rural Oklahoma.

Health technologies for tackling client absenteeism in primary and secondary care services.

Background: Tackling client absenteeism in primary and secondary care settings is crucial to ensure the continuity of care for individuals, families and communities, as well as preventing waste of resources within healthcare systems.

Methodology: This article is an integrative review to identify advancements in health technologies that address client absenteeism in primary and secondary care. The databases Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE/PubMed®), Scientific Electronic Library Online and Virtual Health Library were consulted.

Client perspectives on primary care integration in a rural-serving behavioral health center.

Purpose: Advancing behavioral health and primary care integration is a priority for helping clients overcome the complex health challenges impacting healthcare deserts like those in Arizona, United States of America (USA). This study aimed to explore the perspectives of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) on accessing integrated primary care (IPC) services in a rural-serving behavioral healthcare organization in Arizona.

Design/methodology/approach: Clients from a behavioral health facility in Arizona (n = 10) diagnosed with SUDs who also accessed IPC participated in a 45-min semi-structured interview.

A formative assessment of client characteristics associated with missed appointments in integrated primary care services in rural Arizona.

Introduction: Integrating primary care services in mental healthcare facilities is an uncommon model of care in the United States that could bring several benefits (e.g., improved access to physical healthcare) for vulnerable populations experiencing mental health conditions, especially those living in underserved regions like rural Arizona.

Community Health Representatives as Trusted Sources for Increasing Representation of American Indian Communities in Clinical Research.

Unlabelled: Indigenous and American Indian Alaskan Native (AI/AN) community members are systematically underrepresented in clinical trial research. This paper focuses on exploratory steps to partner with Native Nations of Arizona to engage Community Health Representatives (CHR) as a trusted source for building COVID-19 clinical trial research, including vaccine trials awareness. CHRs are frontline public health workers who apply a unique understanding of the experience, language, and culture of the population served.