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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Rapid Detection of Tuberculosis in Remote Alaska
Study of a rapid testing method for active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) administered in a remote area of western Alaska. Discusses challenges of diagnosing and treating TB in a timely manner in remote areas, and describes the process of creating and implementing a rapid testing program in partnership with healthcare organizations. Presents data from 223 patients who received the rapid test over 3 years, including positivity rates, test sensitivity and specificity, and effectiveness of the testing method.
Author(s): Ronald J. Bowerman
Citation: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 79(1), 1827786
Date: 10/2020
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Association Between Social Vulnerability and a County's Risk for Becoming a COVID-19 Hotspot — United States, June 1–July 25, 2020
Examines associations between social vulnerability and COVID-19 hotspot locations, based on June 1–July 25, 2020 county-level COVID-19 cases and data from the 2018 CDC social vulnerability index. Includes data by level of urbanicity for large metropolitan, small/medium metro, and nonmetro counties. Looks at both social vulnerability overall and specific components, including racial/ethnic minority population, percent of residents who speak English less than well, and housing and transportation vulnerability.
Author(s): Sharoda Dasgupta, Virginia B. Bowen, Andrew Leidner, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(42), 1535-1541
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Vaccination Coverage by Age 24 Months Among Children Born in 2016 and 2017 — National Immunization Survey-Child, United States, 2017–2019
Examines vaccination coverage for selected vaccines and doses among children born in 2016 and 2017. Supplementary Table 2 includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Additional links: Supplementary Table 2
Author(s): Holly A. Hill, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(42), 1505-1511
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Coronavirus Pandemic Highlights Critical Gaps in Rural Internet Access for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers: A Call for Partnership with Medical Libraries
Highlights the challenges of reaching migrant and seasonal farmworkers with public health information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discuses migrants' lack of broadband internet as an inhibitor to migrants' ability to access both healthcare and public health information.
Author(s): Joseph G. L. Lee, Catherine E. LePrevost, Emery L. Harwell, et al.
Citation: Journal of the Medical Library Association, 108(4), 651-655
Date: 10/2020
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Community Collaboration During COVID-19: Reaching Hmong and Latino Residents in a Rural Setting
Describes how local and state organizations collaborated to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in Hmong and Latino populations in rural north central Wisconsin. Discusses the recruitment and training of community liaisons, the impact of the project, and lessons learned.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Demographic Characteristics, Experiences, and Beliefs Associated with Hand Hygiene Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020
Reports findings from an Internet-based survey of U.S. adults related to hand hygiene following contact with high-touch public surfaces. Includes information on hand washing and use of hand sanitizer, with data by rural/urban residence.
Author(s): Mark É. Czeisler, Amanda G. Garcia-Williams, Noelle-Angelique Molinari, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(41), 1485-1491
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Health Equity, Indigenous Populations, History, Culture, Policy and Science with Donald Warne
Video recording of an interview with Dr. Donald Warne discusses health disparities in Indian Country historically and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the need for more Native American providers and how healthcare policy affects the health outcomes of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Reede Scholars
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One Health: Bringing Health to Humans, Animals, and the Environment
Provides an overview of the One Health approach, which focuses on the inter-relationship between human, animal, and environmental health. Discusses the relevance of One Health in rural areas and offers examples of issues this approach can help address, such as zoonotic disease like COVID-19, food safety and security, and antimicrobial resistance. Highlights federal agencies and national organizations with One Health activities and initiatives.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Characteristics Associated with Adults Remembering to Wash Hands in Multiple Situations Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, October 2019 and June 2020
Reports on adults' remembering to wash their hands in six situations: before eating at home; before eating at a restaurant; before preparing food at home; after using the bathroom at home; after using the bathroom in public; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose. Based on survey data from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2019) and during the pandemic (June 2020). Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Julia C. Haston, Gabrielle F. Miller, David Berendes, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(40), 1443-1449
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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The Impact of Coronavirus on Households in Rural America
Reports on the experiences of rural households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses impacts on finances, employment, healthcare, housing, food, and child care. Concerns related to healthcare include access to care during the pandemic, concerns for those with special health issues such as chronic conditions, and use of telehealth.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Public Radio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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