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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

The Impact of the Coronavirus on Local Food Insecurity
Investigates the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity in the United States by examining county- and state-level data on changes in food insecurity from 2018-2020. Highlights information from counties in rural areas.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Feeding America
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Rural Health and COVID-19
Webinar recording discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in rural communities in the areas of healthcare and human services. Features presentations by representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Additional links: Audio Recording, CDC Rural Health Resources, Presentation Slides, Webinar Transcript
Date: 05/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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HIV Prevention and Treatment Challenges in Rural America
Provides an overview of the prevalence of HIV and access to HIV prevention and treatment services in rural communities. Discusses challenges to providing and accessing HIV prevention and treatment efforts in rural areas, including the lack of local healthcare services, the cost of care, and HIV-related stigma. Describes federal programs that support HIV prevention and treatment services in rural areas. Offers policy recommendations to address these barriers and to reduce rural HIV disparities.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Embracing the Power of Show-Me ECHO Learning Communities to Transform Clinical Practice in Missouri
Describes the Show-Me ECHO project, a collaborative video and case-based healthcare education model in Missouri that facilitates professional development across the state. Describes Show-Me ECHO's role in bringing clinicians together to share and learn through practical and experiential knowledge in order to expand healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Specifically addresses Show-Me ECHO's impacts on knowledge sharing and collaboration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Lea Brandt, Melissa Warne-Griggs, Kimberly Hoffman, Lori Popejoy, E. Rachel Mutrux
Citation: Missouri Medicine, 117(3), 216-221
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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Finding Innovation and Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Rural Health Organizations Are Adapting Their Program Strategies
Summarizes a series of virtual peer learning sessions in response to COVID-19 for current Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program, Rural Health Network Development, Small Healthcare Provider Quality Improvement, and Delta States Rural Development Network program grantees. Provides an overview of common themes that emerged from the sessions. Discusses the challenges and innovations made to implement rural health and public programs across six areas: community health workers, data collection and evaluation, virtual trainings, peer support services and recovery supports, telehealth utilization, and schools.
Additional links: Adaptive Strategies for Rural Grantees Amid COVID-19: Adjusting Approaches to Data Collection and Utilization, Adaptive Strategies for Rural Grantees Amid COVID-19: Peer Support and Recovery Services in a Virtual Environment, Adaptive Strategies for Rural Grantees Amid COVID-19: Strategies for Supporting Community by Maintaining Work With Schools, Adaptive Strategies for Rural Grantees Amid COVID-19: Taking Community Health Worker Practice Virtual, Adaptive Strategies for Rural Grantees Amid COVID-19: Using Telehealth in New and Improved Ways to Meet Emerging Needs, Guide for Planning and Hosting an Effective Virtual Meeting/Training Event
Author(s): Tanisa Adimu, John Butts, Coleman Tanner, et al.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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COVID-19 and Rural Hospital Struggles
Recording of a May 14, 2020, webinar on healthcare delivery and financial challenges facing rural hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Features leaders from health systems in Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Transcript available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show Transcript.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Healthy St. Landry Alliance Leads Coordinated Community Response During COVID-19 Pandemic
Profiles Healthy St. Landry Alliance, a consortium of 25 local partners in rural St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, and its response to COVID-19. Describes how the Alliance enacted a communications and response system to manage the regional response to the pandemic. Offers lessons learned and future goals of the collaboration.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Infection Control Deficiencies Were Widespread and Persistent in Nursing Homes Prior to COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores the prevalence of infection prevention and control deficiencies in nursing homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines the percentage of nursing homes that had deficiencies cited in multiple years. Provides charts noting the number of nursing homes with an infection prevention and control deficiency by state. Includes a chart that presents the data by urban and rural status.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Broadband Connectivity and COVID-19: The FCC's Response
Describes the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically regarding internet access and network reliability. Outlines waived regulations and extended deadlines for several programs, including the Rural Health Care program.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Delivery of VA Telehealth Services During COVID-19
Provides an overview of veterans' access to telehealth services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the funding opportunities through the CARES Act and the Connected Care Pilot Program that aim to assist veterans with obtaining telehealth-related infrastructure during the pandemic.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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