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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Do Rural Hospitals Have An Advantage During A Pandemic?
Analysis of the challenges, advantages, and policy landscape affecting rural hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses workforce issues, community relationships, and emergency preparedness.
Author(s): Miriam Krikorian Atkinson, John L. Hick, Sara J. Singer, Nicholas V. Cagliuso, Paul D. Biddinger
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Affairs
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VA Recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission
Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing equitable access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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U.S.-Mexico Border Program: Emergency Preparedness and Response StoryMap
StoryMap offering data and information related to Goal 4 of the Border 2025 program, which aims to improve joint preparedness for and response to hazardous environmental emergencies. Discusses collaboration between sister cities, environmental justice and climate change issues, and coordinating training and response to support emergency preparedness.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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COVID-19: Significant Improvements Are Needed for Overseeing Relief Funds and Leading Responses to Public Health Emergencies
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through early January 2022, including data on COVID-19 relief spending and vaccinations. Offers 5 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding emergency rental assistance, nutrition assistance, and tax relief for businesses. Also designates the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) leadership and coordination of a range of public health emergencies as high risk to ensure sustained executive branch and congressional attention so the nation is prepared for future emergencies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Disaster Recovery: School Districts in Socially Vulnerable Communities Faced Heightened Challenges after Recent Natural Disasters
Examines 5 school districts in socially vulnerable communities and describes problems faced by students after disasters, including housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of access to mental health services, especially in rural communities. Includes a state- and territory-level map showing school districts that received federal recovery grants for 2017-2019 presidentially-declared disasters.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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What Can We Do When the Smoke Rolls In? An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis of the Impacts of Rural Wildfire Smoke on Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Opportunities for Adaptation
Study examining the mental health and wellbeing impacts of wildfire smoke events based on community focus group sessions and key informant interviews with healthcare and social service providers in Okanogan County, Washington. Describes wildfire smoke exposure effects on anxiety, depressive symptoms, isolation, and physical health, and explores opportunities for healthcare and community interventions.
Author(s): Anna Humphreys, Elizabeth G. Walker, Gregory N. Bratman, Nicole A. Errett
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 41
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Rural LISC 2022 Annual Report: A Year of Bold Action
Provides an overview of Rural LISC 2022 activities based on their pillars of broadband and infrastructure, workforce and small business, creative capital, disaster solutions, and housing. Includes statistics and data, impact stories, and resources related to each of the pillars.
Date: 2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Rural LISC
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Emerging Stronger After COVID-19: Priorities for Health System Transformation
Collection of papers examining the weaknesses of major healthcare sectors before the COVID-19 pandemic, how each sector responded to the pandemic, and the opportunities that exist for strengthening and transforming the healthcare system. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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The Use of Telehealth for Disability Evaluation in Medicine and Allied Health: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes presentations and discussions held during a March 2022 workshop regarding the use of telehealth for patient evaluation. Provides an overview of telehealth policy broadly and within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the use of telehealth in a range of clinical specialties; telehealth access and digital inclusion and equity; the experiences of U.S. healthcare systems in deploying telehealth; and licensure, privacy, and security issues.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Caring for People with Serious Illness: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Proceedings from a Workshop
Proceedings from a three-part workshop to explore the initial responses to the pandemic by healthcare teams providing care to people with serious illness, the impact of the pandemic on the healthcare workforce, use of telehealth, issues related to communicating with the public about health emergencies, and policy opportunities to improve care for people with serious illness. Mentions rural throughout.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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