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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Getting in Front of COVID-19: Addressing Social Determinants of Health to Save the Lives of Seniors
Presents an overview of Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District's (SoHum Health) efforts to proactively meet the needs of seniors sheltered-in-place due to COVID-19. Describes how SoHum Health has repurposed facilities and staff, and partners with local Humboldt County, California, organizations, to determine the needs of local seniors and make deliveries of groceries and medications. Discusses contingency plans in the event of a COVID-19 surge.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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On the Front Lines of COVID-19: A Blueprint for Health and Human Services from Washington State
Issue brief exploring the major COVID-19 initiatives taken in Washington state during February and March, 2020, and the lessons learned. Includes information on the support given to rural healthcare providers.
Author(s): Susan Birch, MaryAnne Lindeblad, Eileen Cody
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey March 23–27, 2020
Reports on hospitals' challenges and needs in responding to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Addresses access to testing, supplies, and equipment; workforce issues; facility capacity; the need for financial assistance; and information needs. Identifies strategies hospitals reported using the help protect staff and manage patient care. Includes information on rural hospitals' concerns.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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The Respiratory Therapist Workforce in the U.S.: Supply, Distribution, Education Pathways, and State Responses to Emergency Surges in Demand
An overview of the respiratory therapist workforce across the U.S. including their practice scope and settings, supply and distribution, education and credentialing, and work force capacity with an additional focus on the emergency related concerns of COVID-19.
Author(s): Susan M Skillman, Bianca K Frogner, Arati Dahal, Benjamin A Stubbs, Grace Guenther
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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RCAP Planning for Pandemics Toolkit
Toolkit designed by the Ohio Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP) to help small water systems prepare for an epidemic. Includes flyers on COVID-19 and sanitation, and a continuity of operations plan template that can be used to prepare for a pandemic.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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CARES Act: Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Fast-Track to Teledentistry - Removing Barriers to Care While Maximizing Overall Health
Details the barriers to oral healthcare access and discusses the ways teledentistry can help overcome them. Highlights the role teledentistry can play during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and in rural and underserved communities. Presents examples of successful uses of teledentistry and provides guidance for teledentistry implementation.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services Meeting Summary, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2-4, 2020
Summarizes the 87th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS), which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Presents an overview of national and state perspectives on the meeting's two areas of focus: rural maternal health and HIV prevention and treatment.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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The Health Resources and Services Administration's Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in Rural Areas of the United States: Geographic Distribution, Provider Characteristics, and Clinical Outcomes
Analyzes 2017 data from the HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Services Report to determine the program's reach in rural areas. Compares rural and urban characteristics for providers, services, clinical outcomes, and clients supported by RWHAP. Discusses barriers to rural HIV care delivery and RWHAP's mediation of those barriers.
Author(s): Pamela W. Klein, Tanya Geiger, Nicole S. Chavis, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 15(3), 1-17
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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Information for First Responders on Maintaining Operational Capabilities During a Pandemic
Provides resources to help first responders plan for the impacts of a severe pandemic. Offers ways to adjust operations to maintain readiness, planning tools for local leaders, and reference sheets with discipline-specific action steps.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Fire Administration
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