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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

COVID-19 and Rural Communities: Protecting Rural Lives and Health
Report examining the impact of COVID-19 in rural America, presenting data on case rates and mortality, prevalence in diverse rural communities, and health conditions contributing to severe cases of COVID-19. Discusses issues of socioeconomic vulnerability, healthcare access, and public health compliance. Offers actions to address disparities, including increasing access, supporting livelihoods, and considering social determinants of health in healthcare planning.
Author(s): Jesse Bradford, Erica Coe, Kana Enomoto, Matt White
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: McKinsey & Company
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"All Hands On Deck": The COVID-19 Pandemic Through Nurses' Eyes
Podcast recording featuring Mary Wakefield describes the role of nurses and the challenges they have faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses shortages of personal protective equipment, workforce challenges, vaccine administration, and solutions to support nurses in the future. Highlights the experiences of nurses at rural hospitals and clinics.
Date: 03/2021
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Innovations and Workforce Challenges for CAHs during COVID-19
Presents results from a survey of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) on hospital operation and workforce adaptations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses innovative practices adopted by CAHs related to hospital processes and clinical care. Describes how CAHs overcame workforce challenges during COVID-19.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Keelia Silvis, Ira Moscovice
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Health Care Utilization and Outcomes Associated with Accidental Poisonous Mushroom Ingestions — United States, 2016–2018
Examines emergency department visits and hospitalizations associated with accidental poisonous mushroom ingestion. Includes data on ED visits in 2016 by location of patient residence for metropolitan areas and for micropolitan and noncore (rural) areas.
Author(s): Jeremy A.W. Gold, Emily Kiernan, Michael Yeh, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(10), 337-341
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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2021 RHC Billing and Coding Update
Recording of a March 9, 2021, webinar providing an overview of coding and billing changes relevant to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Discusses guidelines for reporting COVID-19 immunizations and monoclonal antibody infusions, telehealth coding and billing during the COVID-19 public health emergency, ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding for COVID-19, and RHC lab billing and COVID test reporting. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: AMA Code & Guideline Changes, COVID Vaccine Log, Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 03/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Trends in Heart Failure-Related Cardiovascular Mortality in Rural Versus Urban United States Counties, 2011–2018: A Cross-Sectional Study
Study comparing rates of cardiovascular disease in rural and urban areas at the county level. Analyzes CDC WONDER data on heart failure deaths related to cardiovascular disease between 2011 and 2018, comparing population demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, risk factor prevalence, and physician density. Discusses issues of access to care in rural areas with high rates of heart failure.
Author(s): Jacob B. Pierce, Nilay S. Shah, Lucia C. Petito, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 16(3), e0246813
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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CAH Partnerships During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Presents findings from a survey of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in eight states on how they partnered with communities and public health agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the type of support CAHs received from their State Flex Program (SFP).
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Megan Lahr, Keelia Silvis, Ira Moscovice
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural and Urban Differences in COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors
Examines the influence of political ideology, demographic factors, and COVID-19 experiences on COVID-19-related preventive health behaviors in rural and urban communities, based on a survey of 5,009 adults. Features demographics and statistics on various behaviors and attitudes, with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Author(s): Timothy Callaghan, Jennifer A. Lueck, Kristen Lunz Trujillo, Alva O. Ferdinand
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(2), 287-295
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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Nonmetropolitan COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Rates Surpassed Metropolitan Rates Within the First 24 Weeks of the Pandemic Declaration: United States, March 1 – October 18, 2020
Compares COVID-19 cases and death rates in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas across three 11-week periods in 2020. Features state-level maps providing a visual assessment of the changing impact that COVID-19 had on nonmetropolitan populations.
Author(s): Kevin A Matthews, Fred Ullrich, Anne H. Gaglioti, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(2), 272-277
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
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Montana State Health Improvement Plan, 2019-2023
Details the goals and priorities of the state of Montana to address heath disparities. Highlights five priority areas, including behavioral health, chronic disease, motor vehicle crashes, maternal care, and adverse childhood experiences. Discusses goals relating to rural communities and healthcare providers.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
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