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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Economics of United States Emergency Care
Examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the economics of emergency departments (ED) from January through September 2020. Discusses the impact of the pandemic on ED visit volumes and complexity, clinical revenues and expenses, and clinician hours and compensation. Includes data for large, medium, small, and freestanding EDs.
Author(s): Jesse M. Pines, Mark S. Zocchi, Bernard S. Black, et al.
Citation: Annals of Emergency Medicine
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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Childhood Immunization During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Texas
Examines childhood vaccination in Texas, comparing rates between May 2010 and May 2020 for rural and urban counties using data from the Texas Immunization Registry. Discusses trends in immunization rates in relation to the risk of vaccine-preventable disease infections.
Author(s): Tasmiah Nuzhath, Kobi V. Ajayi, Qiping Fan, et al.
Citation: Vaccine, 39(25), 3333–3337
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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Building Resilience Among Physical and Behavioral Healthcare Providers During a Global Health Pandemic
Toolkit discusses burnout among physical and behavioral healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides strategies to build resilience to burnout. Defines a number of root causes to provider burnout, such as compassion fatigue, ambiguous loss, and secondary traumatic stress, among others. Discusses how rural providers, especially sole community providers, can face specific challenges during a pandemic that can lead to burnout.
Author(s): Shawnda Schroeder, Per Ostmo, Robin Landwehr, Andrew McLean, Thomasine Heitkamp
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
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HIV and Hepatitis C in Rural Areas: Prevalence, Service Availability, and Challenges
Webinar recording discusses the prevalence of HIV and maternal hepatitis C in rural communities. Compares infection rates in rural versus urban areas and highlights changes over time. Makes recommendations regarding testing, treatment, and harm reduction services.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Video Recording, Webinar Transcript
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Successful COVID-19 Messaging in Rural Communities
April 20, 2021 webinar in which West Virginia commissioner and state health officer Dr. Ayne Amjad and West Virginia University School of Medicine professor Dr. Lisa Costello present insights from their research and vaccine outreach campaign to West Virginia communities. Includes an audience question and answer session. Transcript available by clicking the More tab in the description.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Public Health Communications Collaborative
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COVID-19 Outbreak Among Farmworkers — Okanogan County, Washington, May–August 2020
Examined risk factors for COVID-19 among fruit grower employees working in orchard and warehouse settings in Okanogan County, Washington. Looked at the impact of housing, comparing those living in the community to those living in congregate temporary housing. Also looked at infection rates by job role.
Author(s): James S. Miller, Michelle Holshue, Tia K.H. Dostal, Laura P. Newman, Scott Lindquist
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(17), 617-621
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2): Private Health Insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare Provisions
Provides an overview of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that relate to private health insurance, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare. Includes information on provisions specific to rural providers.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Lyme Disease in the U.S.: Where is Risk Highest?
Examines the ten-year trend for incidence of Lyme disease in the U.S. Features county-level maps showing total Lyme disease cases and average Lyme disease incidence rates from 2008-2018.
Author(s): Mary E. Helander
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion
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An Outbreak of COVID-19 Among H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers
Highlights a study on COVID-19 outbreaks among temporary agricultural workers with H-2A visas. Focuses on crew of 120 workers in north central Florida. Details the workers' demographic information, such as age, gender, and country of origin, and discusses some of the factors contributing to the outbreak.
Author(s): Michael Lauzardo, Nadia Kovacevich, Anthony Dennis, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 111(4), 571–573
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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Making It Plain: Rural Hospitals and the Healthcare Delivery System
Recording of an April 21, 2021, town hall discussing COVID-19 epidemiological trends, compliance with public health guidance, and vaccine rates in rural communities. Explores barriers and solutions regarding vaccine administration and acceptance in rural areas, and describes federal plans to promote vaccine acceptance in rural communities. Features speakers from the Black Coalition Against COVID-19 (BCAC), the American Hospital Association, and the White House COVID-19 response team, among others.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: BlackDoctor.org
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