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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

The Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
Provides an overview of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), which was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to reimburse eligible health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19. Offers answers to frequently asked questions regarding how funds have been allocated and provider reporting requirements. Includes information on the relationship between the PRF and funding appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act for rural providers.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyles in Rural Families
Evaluates the effects of the early COVID-19 pandemic on family health behaviors, utilizing thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted from June 2020 through September 2020 with rural caregivers who were participants in a healthy lifestyles intervention. Discusses themes related to mental health, physical activity, time use, approaches to parenting and family routines, and food choice.
Author(s): Keisha M. England, Bethany Forseth, Maheen Bangash, et al.
Citation: Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 2(1), 23-31
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Treatment-Seeking Families with Children with Overweight or Obesity
Presents results of a May 2020 survey on parental stress, personal well-being, and family health behaviors during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes data from 77 rural Kansas parents whose children were participants in a 2nd to 4th grade pediatric obesity intervention.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Kelsey M. Dean, Megan Murray, et al.
Citation: Children's Health Care, 51(3), 300-315
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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The State of Our Health: A Statewide Health Assessment of Pennsylvania
Identifies specific health challenges in Pennsylvania and indicates where the largest improvements can be made. Features sections on social determinants of health, access to care, substance use, chronic diseases, mental health, maternal and infant health, injury and violence prevention, infectious diseases and immunization, Health Professional Shortage Areas, and environmental health. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Building Trust in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) Science: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Summarizes findings from a March 2022 workshop focused on trustworthiness of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) institutions and researchers. Discusses how to promote trust in public health agencies and establishing communication strategies to address misinformation. Includes cultural issues related to rural and tribal communities.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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New Census Bureau Population Estimates Show COVID-19 Impact on Fertility and Mortality Across the Nation
Presents information on population changes in the U.S. over the past decade and how COVID-19 has impacted population in the past year. Includes charts showing 2011-2021 state-level natural decreases, births, and deaths, as well as maps showing 2020-2021 county-level natural changes.
Author(s): Sandra Johnson, Shannon Sabo
Date: 03/2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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"Hard to Say Goodbye Over iPad": Experiences of Palliative Care Providers and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Communities of Indiana, United States
Explores healthcare professionals' perspectives about the challenges and barriers to providing palliative care in rural Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents findings from interviews with 15 providers on restricted visitation, communication barriers, provider distress, and hospice services and referrals.
Author(s): Nasreen Lalani, Yun Cai, Yitong Wang
Citation: Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 24(3), E94-E100
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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Minnesota's Health Care Workforce: Pandemic-Provoked Workforce Exits, Burnout, and Shortages
Reports on loss of healthcare professionals in Minnesota due to turnover, burnout, reduction in working hours, early retirement, and more. Provides charts of workforce professionals in 2019 compared to 2021 by vacancy, working a position unrelated to healthcare license, job dissatisfaction, and more, as well as charts showing rural versus urban comparisons of workforce issues.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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COVID-19 and the Rural Health Workforce: The Impact of Federal Pandemic Funding to Address Workforce Needs
Policy brief describing workforce challenges faced by rural healthcare delivery systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussing how pre-pandemic financial instability in rural healthcare facilities may have contributed to these challenges. Discusses the availability of federal pandemic funding to address rural health workforce needs, the ability of rural facilities to access and utilize the funding, and the long-term needs of the rural health workforce and delivery system. Addresses telehealth solutions to workforce challenges, and funding sources for mental health needs of health professionals
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Indian Health Service: Relief Funding and Agency Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Describes the COVID-19 relief funding for Indian Health Service (IHS), tribal, and urban Indian organization health facilities and how the funds were used to meet immediate and longstanding system needs. Discusses the initial IHS response to the pandemic and steps IHS took to address challenges that its hospitals faced responding to the pandemic.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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