Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Rural Oklahomans
Study examining COVID-19 vaccine perceptions and hesitancy among residents of rural Oklahoma counties based on an online questionnaire completed by 222 individuals. Offers demographic data and discusses perceived barriers to vaccination, including concerns about vaccine development and data, complications, and availability, as well as perceived benefits including prevention of COVID-19 infection and transmission.
Author(s): Randolph D. Hubach, Bryan Shannon, Kerry D. Morgan, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(2), 7128
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
view details
A Rural Community's Perspective on the Causes of and Solutions to the Opioid Crisis in Southern Virginia: A Qualitative Study
Results of a study to gain insight into the perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of members of a southern Virginia rural community affected by the opioid crisis, to inform the development of local strategies to address the problem. Examines barriers and facilitators to treatment programs and offers recommendations for targeting populations at risk.
Author(s): Angelina J. Hargrove, Carlin Rafie, Emily Zimmerman, Dawn E. Moser
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22(2), 7152
Date: 06/2022
Type: Document
view details
Perceptions of the Coronavirus and COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination in Latinx and Indigenous Mexican Immigrant Communities in the Eastern Coachella Valley
Examines social determinants of health (SDOH) and socio-cultural perceptions of COVID-19 spread, testing, and vaccination among Latinx and indigenous Mexican farm-working communities in the rural borderland of Eastern Coachella Valley. Discusses data from 55 focus group participants about themes of misinformation, distrust of institutions, and employment and residency instability.
Author(s): Daniel Gehlbach, Evelyn Vázquez, Gabriela Ortiz, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
view details
Exploring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Syringe Services Programs in Rural Kentucky
Describes ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic affected syringe services programs (SSP) operations, using data from interviews conducted in 2020 with 18 people involved in SSP implementation in rural Kentucky counties.
Author(s): Jennifer L. Glick, Suzanne M. Grieb, Samantha J. Harris, et al.
Citation: Harm Reduction Journal, 19(47)
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
view details
Supporting Community-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Programs in North Carolina and their Potential Impact on Healthy NC 2030
Examines ways in which training family medicine residents in rural North Carolina communities can address disparities in healthcare access and improve rural population health metrics for all subsets of the population. Describes Healthy NC 2030, a public health initiative that seeks to bridge healthcare disparities in North Carolina. Features a county-level map showing locations of training programs in rural settings and urban settings, and statistics on the distribution of family medicine residency positions in North Carolina, with breakdowns by rural or urban setting.
Author(s): Audy G. Whitman, Geniene Jones, Danny Pate, et al.
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 83(3), 173-177
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
view details
Vital Signs: Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates — United States, 2019–2020
Reports on changes to firearm homicide and suicide rates by age, race/ethnicity, region, and urbanization level. Examines 2019-2020 national vital statistics and population data, as well as urbanization and poverty measures at the county level.
Author(s): Scott R. Kegler, Thomas R. Simon, Marissa L. Zwald, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(19), 656-663
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Strategies for Rural Health Leaders' Success in a Post-COVID-19 World
Playbook for rural hospital leaders to approach COVID-19 response, vaccination, and related public health efforts. Discusses strategies for countering misinformation through partnerships with community institutions, conducting assessments of community vaccination needs, and communications and engagement. Features case studies of hospitals serving rural communities, and offers links to other tools and resources.
Additional links: Webinar: Rural Health Leaders on Strategies for Pandemic and Beyond
Date: 05/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Implementation of a COVID-19 Screening Testing Program in a Rural, Tribal Nation: Experience of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, January-February 2021
Highlights a study of the implementation of the COVID-19 screening program in the San Carlos Apache Tribe in southeastern Arizona. Details the structure of the program and discusses lessons learned.
Author(s): Natsai Zhou Chidavaenzi, Nickolas Agathis, Yvonne Lees, et al.
Citation: Public Health Reports, 137(2), 220-225
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
view details
Rural Local Health Department Partnership in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): Exploratory Survey Report
Provides results from an exploratory survey to identify and evaluate rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs) engaged in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Presents results from a March 2022 survey related to staff training and competency; barriers to engaging in HAI, AMR, and AMS initiatives; and collaborations used when engaging in initiatives.
Additional links: Infographic
Author(s): Sarah D. Matthews, Sandra Ruzycki
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
view details
Key Stakeholder Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities for Rural HPV Vaccination in North and South Carolina
Results of a study to identify challenges or opportunities for increasing adolescent vaccination, including Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, in rural communities in the southern United States. Uses data from interviews with 14 stakeholders from public health agencies or schools in North Carolina and South Carolina from November 2019 through January 2020.
Author(s): Laura J. Fish, Sayward E Harrison, Jodi-Ann McDonald, et al.
Citation: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 18(5)
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
view details