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Resources by Topic: Population health

COVID-19: Urgent Federal Actions to Accelerate America's Response
Presents six short-term recommendations for the Biden administration and Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the need for policies and strategies to prevent or mitigate health disparities, including in rural and tribal areas.
Additional links: Webinar Recording
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Poll Finds Rural Residents More Hesitant to Get Vaccinated
Results of a poll conducted from November 30 - Dec 8, 2020, in which approximately 1,700 respondents were asked if they would get a COVID-19 vaccination if it were determined to be safe, effective, and available at no cost. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, suburban, or rural location.
Author(s): Tim Marema
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 61-65
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Ensuring Contact: Calling Rural Appalachian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Presents a study on the well-being and healthcare needs of socially isolated adults 75 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural West Virginia. Bases conclusions on telephone interviews with seniors from April 1-22, 2020. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, mental and physical health conditions, and comfort with different forms of communication technology, among other factors.
Author(s): Robert B Walker, Michael Grome, William Rollyson, Adam D Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6122
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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Advancing Population Health in Rural Places: Key Lessons and Policy Opportunities
Discussion of topics including strategies to incorporate population health into rural health, how collaboration can help rural hospitals address population health issues, how rural healthcare systems can gain community support for population activities, and ways in which the rural healthcare workforce can be involved in population health. Examines various demonstration projects with roots in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Delaney P. Bounds, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Community Health Center Addresses Vaccine Hesitancy through Social Media
Shares examples of graphics and videos developed by Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center to answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage patients to get vaccinated.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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COVID-19 Cases and Transmission in 17 K–12 Schools — Wood County, Wisconsin, August 31–November 29, 2020
Examines COVID-19 cases, spread, and compliance with mask use among students and staff participating in in-person learning in 17 rural Wisconsin K–12 schools. Discusses school infection mitigation measures. Reports on community and school-associated COVID-19 cases and in-school transmission.
Author(s): Amy Falk, Alison Benda, Peter Falk, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(4), 136-140
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Program Implementation and Church Members' Health Behaviors in a Countywide Study of the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition Program
Analyzes relationships between Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program implementation and physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and self-efficacy for improving these behaviors among church members in a southeastern, medically underserved county in a rural area. Features data and statistics on participants' health behaviors and self-efficacy at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up.
Author(s): John A. Bernhart, Sara Wilcox, Ruth P. Saunders, Brent Hutto, Jessica Stucker
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
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National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness
A roadmap for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinating the national response across all federal departments and agencies. Centered around seven goals addressing mitigation, vaccination, and other key areas. Goal 6 focuses on protecting those most at risk and advancing equity across racial, ethnic, and rural/urban lines. Includes information on rural and tribal issues throughout, including addressing vaccine hesitancy and access to vaccines in hard-to-reach communities.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The White House
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Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation: Taking a Leadership Role and Building Trust
An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units to better reach communities of color, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the vulnerable and disenfranchised.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Report details the a comprehensive national strategy for suicide prevention for individuals, families, and communities. Outlines 6 plans of actions to address suicide across the country, such as a broad-based public health response, crisis care and care transitions, and evidence-base care, among other factors.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
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