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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Distance as an Obstacle to Clinical Trial Access: Who Is Affected and Why It Matters
Evaluates factors associated with geographic remoteness of 60 miles or more from the nearest phase 2 or 3 clinical trial for a variety of health conditions. Discusses American Indian reservations and rural areas, and provides data on demographic factors associated with remoteness including race and ethnicity, educational attainment, and poverty. Includes a county-level interactive map of clinical trial remoteness for health conditions including cancers, substance use disorder, diabetes, obesity, COPD, stroke, and more. Requires the creation of a free account to view.
Author(s): Andrew Friedson, Bumyang Kim, Maggie Switek, Lawson Mansell
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: The Milken Institute
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Estimating the Burden and Distribution of Post–COVID-19 Condition in Washington State, March 2020–October 2023
Examines the prevalence of post–COVID-19 condition (PCC) in Washington State, utilizing a framework that incorporated data on reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations with estimates of PCC progression from the Household Pulse Survey. Includes data on population subgroups as well as a county-level map of Washington and corresponding chart showing PCC prevalence changes from January 2020 to January 2023.
Author(s): Arran Hamlet, Daniel Hoffman, Sharon Saydah, Ian Painter
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 21
Date: 06/2024
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Mountain West HPV Vaccination Project Helps Shape American Cancer Society National HPV Vaccination Program
Provides an overview of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Mountain West HPV vaccination project, which focused on increasing HPV vaccination among adolescents in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Details ACS partnerships with health systems and other groups to implement interventions and provide professional education.
Author(s): Ashley Lach, Hannah Nein
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Supporting Direct Acting Antiviral Medication Adherence and Treatment Completion in a Sample of Predominantly Rural Veterans with Hepatitis C and Substance Use Disorders
Explores strategies to improve direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment among rural veterans with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and substance use disorder (SUD). Analyzes a clinic-based intervention that utilizes motivational interviewing (MI) to improve medication adherence among 20 enrolled participants in a 12-week course.
Author(s): Mary Jane Burton, Andrew C. Voluse, Amee B. Patel
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 19, 51
Date: 06/2024
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Excess Deaths Associated With COVID-19 by Rurality and Demographic Factors in the United States
Details a study on the patterns of excess death associated with COVID-19 by rural and urban location and other demographic factors using CDC WONDER data from March 2020 to February 2023. Breaks down percent of excess deaths by large central metro, large fringe metro, medium metro, small metro, micropolitan, and noncore counties.
Author(s): Katherine A. Ahrens, Lauren M. Rossen, Carly Milkowski, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 40(3), 491-499
Date: 06/2024
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Findings from the First Year of a Federally Funded, Direct-to-Consumer HIV Self-Test Distribution Program — United States, March 2023–March 2024
Reports on people who ordered and used a direct-to-consumer HIV self-test through the Together TakeMeHome HIV self-test distribution program. Also provides data on related testing and services used by those requesting the self-test. Includes data by participant location for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Travis Sanchez, Robin J. MacGowan, Jennifer Hecht, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(24), 558-564
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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2023 Immunization Profile Study: A Look at Immunization Capacity among Local Health Departments
Reports survey results from 422 local health departments (LHDs) on immunization workforce capacity, vaccine provision and uptake, funding and reimbursement, immunization data capacity, barriers to vaccination, and more in 2023. Includes data comparisons of small, medium, and large LHDs.
Author(s): Margaret C. Cunningham, Amy Maxson, Robin Mowson, et al.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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The Evolution of Health System Planning and Implementation of Maternal Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Analyzes the impact of telehealth to provide maternal healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes interview feedback from 15 health system leaders to discuss issues such as telehealth reimbursement, research, access, barriers, and integration. Includes commentary on telehealth use in rural areas.
Author(s): Monisa Aijaz, Burcu Bozkurt, Arrianna Marie Planey, et al.
Citation: Digital Health, 10
Date: 06/2024
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Nutrition Environment Gaps and Distribution Challenges in Rural Food Pantries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study
Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food pantries in rural areas. Analyzes survey data from 19 food pantry representatives working in California's San Joaquin Valley between August 2020 and June 2021. Examines the consumer nutrition environment in rural food pantries utilizing the Nutrition Environment Food Pantry Assessment Tool (NEFPAT).
Author(s): Kimberly D. Sánchez, Karina Díaz Rios, Denise D. Payán
Citation: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 124(6), 713-724.E4
Date: 06/2024
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U.S. Cancer Statistics: Highlights from 2021 Cancer Incidence with Comparisons to Previous Years
A data brief that presents cancer mortality and incidence in 2020 compared to previous years. Includes breakdowns by sex, race, age, cancer type, Census region, and county-level urbanicity. Discusses impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening, diagnosis, and reporting.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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