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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19

Potential Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Surges for Rural Areas and Hospitals
Opinion piece highlighting features of rural healthcare systems that make it more difficult for those hospitals to withstand surges in COVID-19 cases. Suggests possible solutions for institutions, governments, and society as they navigate the potentially rural-dominant Delta variant phase.
Author(s): Sameer S. Kadri, Steven Q. Simpson
Citation: JAMA
Date: 08/2021
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COVID-19: HHS's Collection of Hospital Capacity Data
Examines the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementation of the HHS Project, which was launched in April 2020 to collect national and state-level hospital capacity data. Discusses reporting requirements and challenges, use of the data collected, and lessons learned regarding the collection of hospital capacity data during a public health emergency.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rural Community Pharmacies' Preparedness for and Responses to COVID-19
Analyzes emergency preparedness for COVID-19 in rural, southeastern community pharmacies and how emergency preparedness responses varied by level of rurality. Utilizes survey data from 62 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP), examining COVID-19 information source use, interest in COVID-19 testing, infection control procedures, disaster preparedness training, medication supply impacts, and demographic characteristics, comparing responses from pharmacists located in large rural town, small rural town, and isolated rural town.
Additional links: Poster Presentation
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17, 1327-1331
Date: 07/2021
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Examining Child Food Insecurity in Rural America
Discusses challenges and barriers related to child food security in rural areas, with a focus on the impact of COVID-19, data exhibiting child food needs, and policy that can help close food access gaps.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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The Synchronicity of COVID-19 Disparities: Statewide Epidemiologic Trends in SARS-CoV-2 Morbidity, Hospitalization, and Mortality among Racial Minorities and in Rural America
Presents a study of patterns in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among all adults tested for COVID-19 infection in Indiana between March 1 and December 31, 2020. Analyzes data by sex, age, rural/urban location, and other demographic factors. Discusses disparities among rural and minority populations during the fall 2020 surge.
Author(s): Brian E. Dixon, Shaun J. Grannis, Lauren R. Lembcke, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 16(7), e0255063
Date: 07/2021
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Native Americans And COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Pathways Toward Increasing Vaccination Rates For Native Communities
Highlights vaccination rates, hesitancy, and barriers in Native American communities. Discusses methods of improving vaccination rates in Native nations, including messaging to combat hesitancy.
Author(s): Gabriel R. Sanchez, Raymond Foxworth
Citation: Health Affairs Blog
Date: 07/2021
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Dynamics of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Urban and Rural Areas in the United States
Study examining COVID-19 infection and mortality in urban and rural areas between April 1 and November 12, 2020. Offers maps of incidence and mortality rates for three 75-day periods.
Author(s): Diego F. Cuadros, Adam J. Branscum, Zindoga Mukandavire, F. DeWolfe Miller, Neil MacKinnon
Citation: Annals of Epidemiology, 59, 16-20
Date: 07/2021
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Door-to-Door Vaccination Campaign Reaches the Most Vulnerable
Article and video describing the efforts of the Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety (CAPS), a community-based organization, to conduct COVID-19 vaccination outreach door-to-door in rural, at-risk, and immigrant communities in California. Describes the challenges facing public health agencies working in rural areas, vaccine hesitancy, and health disparities in rural areas.
Author(s): Stephen Johnson
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Freethink
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COVID-19 in a Rural Health System in New York – Case Series and an Approach to Management
Highlights the hub-and-spoke system implemented by a hospital in New York's largest rural county to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Draws data on COVID-19 patients from March to May of 2020, evaluates the system's efficacy, and explores the challenges of rural pandemic response.
Author(s): Eyal Kedar, Regina Scott, Daniel M Soule, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(3), 6464
Date: 07/2021
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COVID-19: Continued Attention Needed to Enhance Federal Preparedness, Response, Service Delivery, and Program Integrity
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through mid-June 2021, including data on vaccine administration and COVID-19 relief spending. Offers 15 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding public health, the economy, and program integrity that would improve the federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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