Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Youth Perceptions of Vaccination for COVID-19 in the United States
Results of a national text message survey on the perspectives of youths aged 14-24 years regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, perceived barriers to vaccination, and anticipated changes in behavior. Table 1 features demographic statistics with breakdowns including urban, suburban, and rural location.
Author(s): Stephen M. Gorga, Eric J. Brandt, Julia Rosenberg, et al.
Citation: JAMA Health Forum, 2(8)
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
view details
State Strategies to Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Rural Communities
Discusses the role of governors in addressing COVID-19 vaccine confidence, access, and uptake in rural communities. Presents three considerations for governors and state officials, examples of best and promising practices, and short- and long-term strategies for addressing challenges to vaccination efforts in rural areas.
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
view details
Potential Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Surges for Rural Areas and Hospitals
Opinion piece highlighting features of rural healthcare systems that make it more difficult for those hospitals to withstand surges in COVID-19 cases. Suggests possible solutions for institutions, governments, and society as they navigate the potentially rural-dominant Delta variant phase.
Author(s): Sameer S. Kadri, Steven Q. Simpson
Citation: JAMA
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
view details
Factors Associated With Use of and Satisfaction With Telehealth by Adults in Rural Virginia During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the use of and satisfaction with telehealth services since March 2020 among 253 survey participants from rural Virginia, and explores the association between demographic and health characteristics, health literacy, internet access, and the odds of using telehealth. Features statistics with breakdowns including race or ethnicity, sex, rural or urban location, insurance status, and broadband access.
Author(s): Maria D. Thomson, Abigail C. Mariani, April R. Williams, Arnethea L. Sutton, Vanessa B. Sheppard
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(8)
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
view details
COVID-19: HHS's Collection of Hospital Capacity Data
Examines the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementation of the HHS Project, which was launched in April 2020 to collect national and state-level hospital capacity data. Discusses reporting requirements and challenges, use of the data collected, and lessons learned regarding the collection of hospital capacity data during a public health emergency.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Telebehavioral Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of Provider Experiences and Perspectives
Examines behavioral health provider perspectives on use of telebehavioral health before and during the pandemic, based on interviews with 31 behavioral health providers in Michigan. Describes how policy changes affected access to and use of behavioral health services, especially among rural residents. Includes statistics on provider characteristics, with breakdowns by urban or rural primary practice location.
Author(s): Victoria Schoebel, Caitlyn Wayment, Maria Gaiser, et al.
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 27(8), 947-954
Date: 08/2021
Type: Document
view details
Examining Child Food Insecurity in Rural America
Discusses challenges and barriers related to child food security in rural areas, with a focus on the impact of COVID-19, data exhibiting child food needs, and policy that can help close food access gaps.
Date: 07/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
view details
The Synchronicity of COVID-19 Disparities: Statewide Epidemiologic Trends in SARS-CoV-2 Morbidity, Hospitalization, and Mortality among Racial Minorities and in Rural America
Presents a study of patterns in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality among all adults tested for COVID-19 infection in Indiana between March 1 and December 31, 2020. Analyzes data by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and rural/urban location, discussing disparities for rural and minority populations during the fall 2020 surge.
Author(s): Brian E. Dixon, Shaun J. Grannis, Lauren R. Lembcke, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 16(7), e0255063
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
view details
Native Americans And COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Pathways Toward Increasing Vaccination Rates For Native Communities
Highlights vaccination rates, hesitancy, and barriers in Native American communities. Discusses methods of improving vaccination rates in Native nations, including messaging to combat hesitancy.
Author(s): Gabriel R. Sanchez, Raymond Foxworth
Citation: Health Affairs Blog
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
view details
Dynamics of the COVID-19 Epidemic in Urban and Rural Areas in the United States
Study examining COVID-19 infection and mortality in urban and rural areas between April 1 and November 12, 2020. Offers maps of incidence and mortality rates for three 75-day periods.
Author(s): Diego F. Cuadros, Adam J. Branscum, Zindoga Mukandavire, F. DeWolfe Miller, Neil MacKinnon
Citation: Annals of Epidemiology, 59, 16-20
Date: 07/2021
Type: Document
view details