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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Environmental Scan of Evidence-Based Promising Practices & Strategies to Improve Vaccine Acceptance Among Racial and Ethnic Minority, Rural and other Underserved Groups
Offers evaluations and recommendations for evidence-based, promising practices and strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among rural and underserved groups. Uses information from a rapid environmental scan and analysis of published literature including peer-reviewed journal articles, commentary articles, and impact reports.
Author(s): Ankit Sanghavi, Afrida Faria, Cody Price, Aila Prieto
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Texas Health Institute
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What a Pandemic Has Taught Us About the Potential for Innovation in Rural Health: Commencing an Ethnography in Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Australia
Examines success stories of rural communities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes ethnographic research to explore healthcare response in communities with fewer than 7,000 inhabitants and not near large healthcare centers.
Author(s): Samuel Petrie, Dean Carson, Paul Peters, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 9
Date: 12/2021
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Variation in Use of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibody Therapies by Social Vulnerability and Urbanicity
Examines the variation in the use of the first two monoclonal antibody therapies for COVID-19 from November 2020 through March 2021. Presents data on the demographic characteristics of monoclonal antibody recipients and social vulnerability indices. Includes a discussion of the use of this therapy by urbanicity and density of primary care physicians.
Author(s): Allison Kolbe
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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COVID-19 National Emergency: Early Trends in Hospitalizations for Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Health Conditions and 30-Day Readmission Rates
Provides an overview of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Describes monthly trends in hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries for HRRP conditions before and after the implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures through September 30, 2020. Examines how monthly trends in unadjusted 30-day readmission rates before and after implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures and how these rates differ by sociodemographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses policy opportunities and interventions to enhance post-discharge follow-up and reduce readmission rates.
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges
Report explores the relationship oral health has to overall health and wellness. Discusses the societal factors that affect oral health and oral healthcare access. Features a discussion on rural oral health disparities and access to care in rural areas.
Additional links: Errata Notice, Executive Summary
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organizations: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health
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Report of Health Care Provider Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adults, by Recipient COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Attitudes — United States, April–September 2021
Examines provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination and the impact of those recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination coverage and attitudes. Includes data for urban (MSA principal city), suburban (MSA nonprincipal city), and rural (non-MSA) areas.
Author(s): Kimberly H. Nguyen, David Yankey, Peng-jun Lu, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(50), 1723-1730
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19: Selected States Modified Meal Provision and Other Older Americans Act Services to Prioritize Safety
Examines how four states utilized COVID-19 funding and regulatory flexibilities to address challenges to serving older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifies strategies states and localities used to meet nutrition and other needs of older adults. Includes perspectives from rural localities and service providers.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Health Care Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Race and Social Determinants of Health among Adults Age ≥ 58 years in the REGARDS Study
Presents results of a survey of Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort study participants about their experiences with SARS-CoV-2 testing and access to care. Presents data on COVID-19 testing, symptoms of COVID-19 without a diagnosis, and changes to access to care by participant characteristics, including rural and urban residence.
Author(s): Emily B. Levitan, Virginia J. Howard, Mary Cushman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 21
Date: 12/2021
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Rural Opioid Treatment Program Patient Perspectives on Take-Home Methadone Policy Changes During COVID-19: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis
Examines patient perspectives following policy changes in take-home methadone treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), based on qualitative interviews with 46 patients from 3 rural opioid treatment programs in Oregon. Highlights main themes related to adapting to the changing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges and benefits of at-home dosing, and future policy and procedural changes.
Author(s): Ximena A. Levander, Kim A. Hoffman, John W. McIlveen, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 16, 72
Date: 12/2021
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Supporting Families in Region XI AIAN Head Start: Centers' Early Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Describes how Region XI Head Start children's centers adjusted their communications and services with families during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines the needs that families reported to center staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including food and nutrition services and healthcare related to COVID-19, and discusses how centers provided supports to meet these needs.
Author(s): Katie Gonzalez, Sara Bernstein, Lizabeth Malone, Addison Larson, AIAN FACES 2019 Workgroup
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Mathematica
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