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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Emergency Management: FEMA's Disaster Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Describes the disaster recovery efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to hurricane damage, including damage to hospitals and infrastructure. Discusses grant funding and recovery office establishment, and addresses the challenges in implementing the public assistance program.
Date: 07/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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A Qualitative Study Identifying Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity in Rural Communities
Highlights a study on physical activity rates and structural impediments and advantages within rural communities that affect those rates. Bases findings on interviews with rural adults in southeast Missouri. Examines the attitudes and concerns about physical activity and makes suggestions for future interventions.
Author(s): Amanda S. Gilbert, Dixie D. Duncan, Alan M. Beck, Amy A. Eyler, Ross C. Brownson
Citation: Journal of Environmental and Public Health, (2019)
Date: 06/2019
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Running Clear: Preventing Private Water Sources from Becoming a Health Hazard in Rural America
Provides an overview of the potential contaminants in well water and describes how the safety of private water sources is maintained. Features water experts and a public health professional explaining what can be done to keep well water clean, including water testing, education and training, funding, and technical assistance.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Broadband Mapping: Small Carrier Perspectives on a Path Forward
Congressional hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure regarding challenges to developing accurate broadband access maps to help direct funding to rural areas without broadband services. Includes testimony from the Competitive Carriers Association, The Rural Broadband Association, WTA-Advocates for Rural Broadband, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Additional links: Beth Osler Testimony, Dan Stelpflug Testimony, Jason Hendricks Testimony, Tim Donovan Testimony
Date: 06/2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. House of Representatives
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Medicaid Financing Cliff: Implications for the Health Care Systems in Puerto Rico and USVI
Issue brief providing an overview of the status of healthcare systems and Medicaid programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) a year and a half after hurricanes hit the islands in September 2017. Focuses on challenges and includes an analysis of the implications for the islands' Medicaid finances, as most of the temporary disaster relief funding is set to expire in September 2019. Features statistics on the two territories' past and projected Medicaid spending.
Author(s): Robin Rudowitz, Cornelia Hall, Barbara Lyons
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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LIFT America: Modernizing Our Infrastructure for the Future
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding the Leading Infrastructure For Tomorrow's America Act (The LIFT America Act), which addresses access to broadband; the healthcare, energy, transportation, and water infrastructures; public health; and more. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Trust for America's Health, U.S. Conference of Mayors, American Enterprise Institute, BlueGreen Alliance, and the former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner.
Additional links: Christopher Guith Testimony, Daniel Lyons Testimony, Jessica Eckdish Testimony, John Auerbach Testimony, Mignon Clyburn Testimony
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs
Examines federal funding for water and wastewater treatment programs, including those specific to rural areas. Discusses the differences in funding mechanisms and how appropriations for discretionary spending has varied.
Date: 05/2019
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Indiana Uplands: Park, Recreation, and Protected Land Inventory and Opportunity Mapping
Reports on the 11 rural counties of the Indiana Uplands and includes inventory and map resources of available park, tourism, and recreation areas. Provides recommendations to develop park and recreation infrastructure with the aim of improving the health and quality of life of rural communities. Includes demographic and health data on Uplands Counties.
Author(s): Stephen A. Wolter, Gina Depper, Hana Cleveland, et al.
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana Center for Rural Engagement
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Broadband Mapping: Challenges and Solutions
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focusing on efforts to collect more accurate broadband coverage information. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Telecom Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and others regarding current mapping challenges and the importance of broadband access for rural communities, including for healthcare services.
Additional links: Jonathan Spalter Testimony, Mike McCormick Testimony, Mike Oblizalo Testimony, Tim Donovan Testimony
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
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The Clean Water State Revolving Fund: How Federal Infrastructure Investment Can Help Communities Modernize Water Infrastructure and Address Affordability Challenges
Provides a recording of U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing addressing storm and wastewater infrastructure and affordability challenges and the potential for federal investments to help. Identifies some health impacts of rural water infrastructure issues. Includes testimony from the National Rural Water Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, a rural development manager, and more.
Additional links: Catherine Flowers Testimony, John Mokszycki Testimony
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organizations: House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, U.S. House of Representatives
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