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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

USDA Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2022-2026
Provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) strategic plan for fiscal years 2022-2026, setting strategic goals related to environmental health, access to services, conservation, economic development, housing, infrastructure, and more. Discusses investment and programs for rural and tribal communities throughout.
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Rural Imperatives in Broadband Adoption and Digital Inclusion
Report examining broadband adoption by age, race, educational attainment, and household income, and discussing strategies for rural providers to expand outreach and adoption efforts toward digital inclusion. Discusses the impact of rural demographics on broadband adoption, including a section on healthcare access and outcomes.
Author(s): Joshua Seidemann, Roxanna Barboza
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
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Case Studies of Communities of Less Than 10,000 People with Bicycle & Pedestrian Infrastructure
Examines the availability of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in rural communities in the U.S. based on a sample of 5 states that represent the different regions of the U.S.: Northeast, North Central, South-Gulf, South-Atlantic, and the West. Discusses the health and community benefits of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, issues of maintaining infrastructure, and ways to engage communities in planning based on survey and interview data.
Author(s): Natalie Villwock-Witte, Karalyn Clouser
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Western Transportation Institute
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Access Granted: Rural Broadband Options, Obstacles, and Solutions
Report describing the importance of broadband access for rural education, healthcare, economic development, equality, and climate impact. Discusses connectivity options and barriers to expanding broadband infrastructure, and examines consumer, community, and policy actions to reduce barriers and expand access.
Author(s): Molly Malone
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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Understanding the "Tool-ish-ness" of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld
An interview with clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld. Discusses the role of telehealth in healthcare delivery. Describes how telecommunications tools can be used by providers to bring quality care to rural areas.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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2021 Impact Report: Measuring the Economic and Human Impact of Nonprofit Organizations in Rural America
Highlights key federal programs that support affordable housing and community infrastructure, including water and wastewater disposal. Features successful rural housing programs, describing their work and impact, including health-related improvements and services.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Housing Coalition
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USDA Rural Utilities Service Borrower's Guide: A How-to for Water and Wastewater Loans from USDA Rural Development
Guide for rural communities and borrowers of Rural Utilities Service (RUS) funds to learn how to adequately administer their projects and understand their responsibilities as an RUS borrower. Covers application, registration, and electronic systems; financial reporting and management; and maintaining sustainable water and waste-disposal services.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Livable Communities: Transit Services and Infrastructure that Promote Livability
Discusses the characteristics of a livable community, offers examples to improve transportation services, and suggests ways to implement a successful livability initiative in rural contexts.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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Do State Comprehensive Planning Statutes Address Physical Activity?: Implications for Rural Communities
Study examining state comprehensive plans related to physical activity with a focus on predominantly rural states and jurisdictions based on state statutory laws. Analyzes the rates at which physical activity, land use, parks and recreation, and other planning items were addressed in state statutes, offering a map of state-level rurality, population-conditional rules for planning, and physical activity-related plan elements.
Author(s): Lisa M. Charron, Chloe Milstein, Samantha I. Moyers, Christiaan G. Abildso, Jamie F. Chriqui
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 12190
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Funding for USDA Rural Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) for two rural broadband-related programs: the ReConnect Program and the Rural Broadband Program. Compares administrative provisions and requirements for the ReConnect Program with requirements for previous rounds of funding.
Date: 11/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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