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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Notes from the Field: Development of an Enhanced Community-Focused COVID-19 Surveillance Program — Hopi Tribe, June‒July 2020
Describes a collaboration between the Hopi Tribe Department of Health and Human Services, Hopi Health Care Center, and CDC to provide house-to-house COVID-19 surveillance and education in a rural, low-resource setting using community health representatives and volunteers.
Author(s): Royce Jenkins, Rachel M. Burke, Joyce Hamilton, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(44), 1660-1661
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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A SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak Illustrating the Challenges in Limiting the Spread of the Virus — Hopi Tribe, May–June 2020
Reports on an investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak among immediate and extended family and community members of the Hopi Tribe. Describes the public health response, which included support for those in isolation and quarantine and community education and mitigation activities.
Author(s): Jocelyn Hirschman, Harpriya Kaur, Kay Honanie, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(44), 1654-1659
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Telehealth in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Rural Health Disparities
Investigates the potential effects of telehealth implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic on rural health disparities. Includes discussion on telehealth initiatives and barriers to accessing broadband, and provides recommendations for researchers and policymakers.
Author(s): Kelly A. Hirko, Jean M. Kerver, Sabrina Ford, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(11), 1816–1818
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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An Initial Analysis of Agricultural Trauma in South Dakota with an Emphasis on Work-Related Injuries
Offers a preliminary analysis of agricultural work-related injury events in South Dakota between 2016 and 2018 using the South Dakota Trauma Registry. Data include a breakdown injury characteristics including mechanism, type of injury, season, and more.
Author(s): Jessica Simpkins, David Sturdevant, Gary Timmerman
Citation: Aesculapius, 1(2)
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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In-Class Health Literacy Programs Can Improve Rural Students' Health Literacy
Reports on a study comprising of children to assess a school-based intervention focused on improving health literacy among rural children.
Author(s): Sarah A. Aghazadeh
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Communication Association
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Healthcare: A Key Challenge in Alabama's Black Belt
Issue brief examining healthcare access in Alabama's Black Belt region compared to national trends. Covers hospital beds in relation to population, rural hospital closures, COVID-19 strain, and policy impacts.
Author(s): Emily Jacobs, Hunter Whann, Emily Grace Corley, Jonathan Bowen, Noel Keeney
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Alabama Education Policy Center
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Effect of an Additional 30 Minutes Spent Outdoors During Summer on Daily Steps and Individually Experienced Heat Index
Discusses rural-urban differences related to additional time spent outdoors and its impacts on physical activity and heat exposure. Reports on 89 urban and 88 rural residents in Alabama who are given an intervention of 30 minutes of additional outdoor time each day. Includes statistics and graphs detailing the rural versus urban intervention results.
Author(s): Suwei Wang, Molly B. Richardson, Connor Y.H. Wu, Benjamin F. Zaitchik, Julia M. Gohlke
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(20), 7558
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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Development and Implementation of a Telenephrology Dashboard for Active Surveillance of Kidney Disease: A Quality Improvement Project
Explores a study on the use of telehealth for early detection and intervention in cases of kidney disease among rural veterans. Evaluates a telenephrology consultation program run by the VA Health Care System at a number of locations in rural Iowa.
Author(s): Melissa L. Swee, M. Lee Sanders, Kantima Phisitkul, et al.
Citation: BCM Nephrology, 21, 424
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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Addressing Opioid Use Disorder among Rural Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Study Protocol
Explores a study examining the rates of prenatal opioid use disorder and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in rural areas. Study includes provider-level measurements such as patient retention, adoption of evidence-based practices, and attitude towards substance misuse, among others, and patient-level measurements such as substances used, co-occurring conditions, and birth outcomes, among others.
Author(s): M. Aryana Bryan, Marcela C. Smid, Melissa Cheng, et al.
Citation: Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, 15, 33
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
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Ohio's COVID-19 Populations Needs Assessment
Describes a statewide evaluation of the unique needs of communities in Ohio at increased risk of disease and death due to COVID-19, as well as barriers these communities face in following COVID-19 protective behaviors. Focuses on 6 population groups, including rural communities. Offers 8 recommendations that would mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 across multiple populations.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Findings & Recommendations for Rural Communities
Author(s): Julianna M. Nemeth, Tasleem J. Padamsee
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: The Ohio State University College of Public Health
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