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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19

COVID-19 Hospitalization Trends in Rural Versus Urban Areas in the United States
Examines disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between rural and urban areas in six states from May 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021. Describes differences in occupancy rates between rural and urban hospitals during the same period. Presents data by week and cumulatively over time.
Author(s): Yi Zhu, Caitlin Carroll, Khoa Vu, et al.
Citation: Medical Care Research and Review, 80(2), 236-244
Date: 04/2023
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Inequitable Access to General and Behavioral Healthcare in the US During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Role for Telehealth?
Examines general and behavioral healthcare access and disparities during the first year of the pandemic, using data from the 2019–2020 U.S. National Alcohol Survey and its COVID follow-up survey conducted January 30 to March 28, 2021. Explores the role of telehealth in providing an important bridge to healthcare for certain medically underserved groups during the pandemic. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Nina Mulia, Yu Ye, Thomas K. Greenfield, et al.
Citation: Preventive Medicine, 169
Date: 04/2023
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Forces Driving Change in Rural North Carolina
Examines major forces driving change in rural North Carolina communities, which influence people, communities, and businesses. Includes sections on rural healthcare inequities, social determinants of health, and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on rural people. Features a county-level map showing health outcome rankings as of 2022, and statistics on the number of healthcare professionals per 10,000 people, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Center
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Analysis of an Innovative Approach to Target Rural Communities in Public Health Funding
Explores the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) funding to address COVID-19 in rural communities and its impact. Presents findings from interviews with federal and state officials regarding the development of this dedicated funding, its impact on state behavior and rural communities, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
Author(s): Timothy H. Callaghan, Gogoal Falia, Earl Greer, Maya Ramy, David Washburn
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
Compares COVID-19 vaccination rates across metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore populations in the United States over time through December 7, 2022.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use
Explores the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and substance use. Tracks rates of anxiety and depression, as well as substance use, from before and after the pandemic. Breaks down data by age, race, and rurality, among other measures.
Author(s): Nirmita Panchal, Heather Saunders, Robin Rudowitz, Cynthia Cox
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Addressing the Long-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Families
Report discusses the long-term physical, mental, and social outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the effects of social isolation, school closures, financial hardships, and physical illness caused by the pandemic and highlights the groups that have been disproportionately affected, such as American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Additional links: Read Online, Report Highlights
Author(s): Board on Children, Youth, and Families
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Rates of Primary Care and Integrated Mental Health Telemedicine Visits Between Rural and Urban Veterans Affairs Beneficiaries Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shares the results of a study examining changes over time in rural-urban differences in telemedicine use for primary care and mental health integration services among Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries. Uses data from 138 VA healthcare systems from March 2019 to December 2021. Features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by visit type and rural or urban area.
Author(s): Lucinda B. Leung, Caroline Yoo, Karen Chu, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(3)
Date: 03/2023
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Perspectives on the Long of COVID: From Doomscrolling to Rural Management Strategies
An overview of how Long COVID is impacting rural areas. Features a Tennessee rural health researcher sharing his Long COVID experience and a rural New York healthcare system discussing the condition's management options.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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COVID-19 Cases and Deaths, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties Over Time (Update)
Presents charts to compare COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas over time, from April 1, 2020 - March 9, 2023.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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