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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Society of Behavioral Medicine Statement on COVID-19 and Rural Health
Highlights the position of the Society of Behavioral Medicine on rural health disparities as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses shortages in rural health research, healthcare infrastructure, and other systemic disparities. Makes both short- and long-term recommendations to policymakers.
Author(s): Pamela Behrman, Marian L Fitzgibbon, Akilah Dulin, et al.
Citation: Translational Behavioral Medicine, 11(2), 625-630
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
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Social Isolation and Loneliness in Rural Communities and the Role of Cross-Sector Partnerships
Discussion with Carrie Henning-Smith around social isolation and loneliness in rural communities and obstacles to address these issues. Profiles how two Minnesota communities took steps to improve accessibility and social cohesion. Describes how cross-sector partnerships can promote an equitable recovery of rural communities after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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OBGYNs and the Provision of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care: Key Findings from a National Survey
Reports on a nationwide survey of obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) regarding sexual and reproductive healthcare, covering screening practices; provision of contraception, abortion, and sexually transmitted infection care; and the effects of policy on healthcare access and quality. Analyzes survey data from 1,210 OBGYN participants on contraception provision and other services, access to specific services based on regional and urban/rural location, provider characteristics and experiences, Medicaid coverage, and more.
Author(s): Gabriela Weigel, Brittni Frederiksen, Usha Ranji, Alina Salganicoff
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Rural Health Preparedness Policy Brief
Policy brief providing an overview of challenges rural communities experience preparing for and mitigating the effects of disasters and public health emergencies. Offers guidelines and recommendations to improve rural preparedness.
Author(s): Stacie Pace, Jordan Tenenbaum, Michael Meit
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout in Rural Communities: Challenges, Innovations, and Unmet Needs
Provides insights from rural, frontier, and tribal organizations about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Discusses challenges in rural communities, including access barriers and vaccine hesitancy, and shares innovative strategies being used to address these challenges. Identifies unmet needs and potential strategies as the vaccination process continues.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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Rural HIV Prevalence and Service Availability in the United States: A Chartbook
Examines state- and county-level human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in 2016 as well as availability of HIV-related prevention, testing, and treatment services in 2019. Includes data breakdowns by rural/urban status.
Author(s): Katherine Ahrens, Amanda Burgess, Louisa Munk, Erika Ziller
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Capacity of Rural Counties to Address an HIV or Hepatitis C Outbreak
Examines data from 20 states potentially at risk of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreak to determine which services local health departments (LHDs) provide to help identify or address HIV or HCV. Examples of relevant services include HIV testing, substance use services, and infectious disease surveillance, among others. Includes rural/urban differences in LHD services and staff, LHD partnerships and collaboration, and demographic characteristics of at-risk counties.
Author(s): Jennifer Lenardson, Jaclyn Janis, Amanda Burgess, Karen Pearson, Martha Elbaum
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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COVID Relief Funding for Medicaid Providers
Analyzes the distribution of COVID-19 provider relief funds to Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) providers. Discusses barriers Medicaid providers experience in applying for COVID relief funding. Presents data on the share of potentially eligible providers who received funding by enrollment in Medicare and provider type. Includes information on the distribution of funding to hospitals by hospital type, urban or rural status, and deemed DSH status.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Child Care in Rural Minnesota After 2020: A Unique Opportunity
Summarizes changes in child care in Minnesota from 2000-2020. Describes the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on child care and employment, and features discussion on how a lack of child care can affect parents' abilities to secure and maintain jobs. Includes data and statistics on changes in childcare provider licenses and capacity. Offers recommendations for recovering from the pandemic and keeping child care intact in rural Minnesota.
Additional links: Webinar Recording
Author(s): Marnie Werner
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
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Care Outcomes Among Black or African American Persons with Diagnosed HIV in Rural, Urban, and Metropolitan Statistical Areas — 42 U.S. Jurisdictions, 2018
Examines HIV care outcomes among Black people with diagnosed HIV infection living in rural (less than 50,000 population), urban (50,000–499,999 population), and metropolitan (500,000 population or more) areas. Provides rural/urban/metropolitan data by age group, gender, and transmission category addressing: stage of diagnosis, linkage to care within one month of diagnosis, and viral suppression within 6 months of diagnosis.
Author(s): Shacara Johnson Lyons, André F. Dailey, Chenchen Yu, Anna Satcher Johnson
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(7), 229-235
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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