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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Occupational health and safety

Update: COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― United States, April-May 2020
Provides data from 28 states on the number of meat and poultry processing facilities affected by COVID-19, characteristics of affected workers, and COVID-19–associated deaths among workers. Data on cases and deaths through May 31, 2020 were obtained from 239 affected facilities. Also describes interventions and prevention efforts at these facilities.
Author(s): Michelle A. Waltenburg, Tristan Victoroff, Charles E. Rose, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(27), 887-892
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Community-based Program to Increase Use of Hearing Conservation Practices among Farm and Rural Youth: A Cluster Randomized Trial of Effectiveness
Examines the effectiveness of two interventions regarding knowledge and attitudes toward hearing conservation among farm and rural youth. Discusses the prevalence of hearing loss among farmworkers and the risks of exposure to farm noise from an early age.
Author(s): Marjorie C. McCullagh, James J. Yang, Michael A. Cohen
Citation: BMC Public Health, 20(1), 847
Date: 06/2020
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Trends in Pneumoconiosis Deaths — United States, 1999–2018
Examines deaths due to pneumoconioses, preventable occupational lung diseases caused by inhaling dust particles such as coal or mineral dust. Includes data by type of disease and by state, as well as data for the top industries and occupations associated with pneumoconiosis deaths, including mining.
Author(s): Jessica L. Bell, Jacek M. Mazurek
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(23), 693-698
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19: Rural Hospital Compendium
Summarizes Missouri Hospital Association's (MHA) efforts to help rural hospitals address the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes information on advocacy and financial support, the rural healthcare workforce, telehealth, personal protective equipment, and more.
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Hospital Association
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Mortality Among Persons with Both Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Aged ≥25 Years, by Industry and Occupation — United States, 1999–2016
Reports on deaths with both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the underlying or contributing cause of death. Examines deaths by industry and occupation for men and women, with data by age for those 25-64 years old and 65 and older. Includes data on industries and occupations more common to rural areas, including agriculture, forestry, and mining.
Author(s): Katelynn E. Dodd, John Wood, Jacek M. Mazurek
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(22), 670-679
Date: 06/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― 19 States, April 2020
Examines COVID-19 cases among workers in 115 meat and poultry processing facilities reported by 19 states. Discusses factors potentially affecting risk for infection, including difficulties with workplace physical distancing and hygiene and crowded living and transportation conditions. Includes recommended changes to address these issues.
Author(s): Jonathan W. Dyal, Michael P. Grant, Kendra Broadwater, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(18), 557-561
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Hospital Experiences Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a National Pulse Survey March 23–27, 2020
Reports on hospitals' challenges and needs in responding to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Addresses access to testing, supplies, and equipment; workforce issues; facility capacity; the need for financial assistance; and information needs. Identifies strategies hospitals reported using the help protect staff and manage patient care. Includes information on rural hospitals' concerns.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Genotyping and Subtyping Cryptosporidium To Identify Risk Factors and Transmission Patterns — Nebraska, 2015–2017
Examines Cryptosporidium in Nebraska, looking at the distribution of cases of cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis in rural and urban settings. Reports on rural cases due to animal exposures and urban cases in child care facilities.
Author(s): Brianna K. Loeck, Caitlin Pedati, Peter C. Iwen, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(12), 335-338
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Standard Precautions Among Emergency Medical Services in Urban and Rural Areas
Study examining EMS adherence to standard precautions regarding blood and bodily fluid safety, comparing rural and urban EMS providers in West Virginia. Analyzes survey data to understand general exposure prevention practices. Discusses role of occupational health professionals in administering standard precautions training and evaluation for EMS providers.
Author(s): Riyadh A. Alhazmi, R. David Parker, Sijin Wen
Citation: Workplace Health and Safety, 68(2), 73-80
Date: 02/2020
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Growing Stress on the Farm: The Expanding Economic and Mental Health Disparities in Rural Missouri
Identifies disparities in mental health outcomes and economic factors for farmers and other rural Missourians. Presents opportunities to promote access to mental health services, improve outcomes, and reduce stigma. Includes statistics on suicides in Missouri with breakdowns by metropolitan and rural areas, age, and sex, and hospital emergency visits by rural Missourians for psychiatric disorders, substance use disorder, and suicidality.
Author(s): M. Reidhead, J. Medows, K. Dothage, et al.
Date: 02/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Hospital Association, University of Missouri Extension
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