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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Community and economic development

Recreation Economy for Rural Communities
Offers information and resources related to the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program, which supports rural community efforts to develop outdoor recreation economies. Discusses revitalization projects through the program, including investment in broadband service and spaces for outdoor activities. Offers examples of funded projects.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Rural Health Capital Resources Council Project
Describes the Rural Health Capital Resources Council, comprising over 30 national organizations, philanthropic organizations, regional community development finance organizations, and federal agencies. Represents finance, housing, economic development, rural health, broadband, and the many components that promote healthy communities. Includes links for Council presentations.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Rural America Placemaking Toolkit
Provides information and strategies for rural community placemaking through public spaces, community arts, downtown revitalization, and design. Discusses processes for community and cultural assessments, and covers food access initiatives and healthcare in the Cross-Sector Partnerships module. Includes directories of organizations offering technical assistance and financial assistance.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: Community & Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky, USDA Rural Development
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Thrive Rural Framework
Provides information resources to support rural community prosperity through asset-based approaches and collaboration. Publications cover strategies to empower rural communities and facilitate economic development, support community equity, and rural development and health.
Additional links: Assessment Worksheet, Thrive Rural Framework Foundational Element, Thrive Rural Framework Overview, Thrive Rural Framework: Local-Level Building Blocks, Thrive Rural Framework: Systems-Level Building Blocks
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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A Primer for Multi-Sector Health Partnerships in Rural Areas and Small Cities
Provides an overview of community-level investments in rural communities and small cities to support healthy lives through multi-sector efforts. Discusses the roles of healthcare, rural philanthropy, and community development organizations in supporting community health. Provides a toolbox that explores key terms, offers case studies, data sources, and links to national and local partners.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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Rural Community Toolbox: Funding & Resources for Rural Communities to Address Substance Abuse
Provides access to federal funding programs and information resources related to substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), to help rural communities and stakeholders address SUD, OUD, and issues related to substance misuse in their communities. Features an overdose mapping tool that provides state- and county-level data on overdose deaths.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: Bureau of Justice Assistance, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Justice
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Addressing the Health Needs of Rural Communities
A collection of Social Determinants of Health Academy trainings recorded in 2018 that explore issues impacting health in rural communities. Topics include collecting data in rural health centers and financing infrastructure development in rural areas.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership
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County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Action Center
Assists communities to pursue data-informed action through resources covering needs assessments, strategic planning, evaluation, collaboration, and communication.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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MiCareMatters: Stories
Collection of articles highlighting the stories of rural Michiganders and their community hospitals.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Michigan Health & Hospital Association
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Life and Health in Rural America
Series of articles based on reports by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on life and health in rural America.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organizations: NPR, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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