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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

The Financing of Rural Health
Features a recording of a panel discussion on innovative strategies for financing rural health. Discusses challenges in rural communities, such as health disparities, limited broadband access, hospital closures, and more. Mentions the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural health.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
A guide for federal health information technology (HIT) activities. Identifies current healthcare challenges and opportunities related to HIT. Explains how the federal government intends to use HIT to promote health; enhance care delivery; build a secure, data-driven system; and develop an interoperable HIT infrastructure. Includes discussion of rural needs and opportunities related to HIT.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, 2020-2025
Outlines federal goals, plans, and priorities as they relate to health information technology (HIT) and its application across the U.S. Discusses federal efforts to improve broadband access and HIT infrastructure in all areas, including rural and tribal areas.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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A Sustainable Model for Preventive Services in Rural Counties: The Healthier Together Study
Describes a study of a patient outreach program in rural Oklahoma that brought together wellness coordinators, primary care providers, county health departments, health information exchange (HIE) networks, and rural hospitals to provide preventive services. Examines the return on investment for coordinated preventive services and the sustainability of outreach programs to support rural healthcare.
Author(s): Zsolt Nagykaldi, Dewey Scheid, Yan D. Zhao, Bhawani Mishra, Tracy Greever-Rice
Citation: The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 33(5), 698-706
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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Building Capacity for Medication Assisted Treatment in Rural Primary Care Practices: The IT MATTTRs Practice Team Training
Evaluates IT MATTTRs, a training intervention for primary care practice (PCP) teams regarding medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Compares in-person training to web-based training through Project ECHO. Discusses the implementation of the training program, participant satisfaction, and impact on participants' perceived ability to deliver MAT.
Author(s): Linda Zittleman, Kristen Curcija, Christin Sutter, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 11
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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An Evaluation of FirstNet's Progress
Presents a recording of a September 24, 2020, hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Examines FirstNet and AT&T's progress on developing a nationwide public safety broadband network. Testimony from Jason Porter, Senior Vice President of AT&T, discusses FirstNet's focus on rural America.
Additional links: Jason Porter Testimony
Date: 09/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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The Impact of Coronavirus on Households Across America
Examines the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. households. Covers health, economic, and work-related impacts and related issues such as broadband access. Includes a section on problems specific to rural households. A separate report is available that focuses specifically on rural impacts of COVID-19.
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, National Public Radio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Contact Tracing: Training New Workers and Connecting with Rural Residents
Discusses the role contact tracing plays in preventing further spread of the coronavirus in rural communities. Highlights an IHS hospital in Arizona and its in-person contact tracing initiative. Also covers contact tracing training strategies, featuring the work of Alaska's AHEC program, a center for public health in Washington, and a national public health foundation.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Action Plan
Provides an overview of the rural health care and human services landscape. Outlines a Four-Point strategy to build a sustainable health and human services model for rural communities, leverage technology and innovation, focus on preventing disease and mortality, and increase rural access to care. Identifies opportunities to transform rural health and human services through federal government partnership and describes new policies and programs to implement the Four-Point Strategy. Highlights actions already taken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support rural communities.
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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COVID-19 Reveals Emerging Opportunities for Rural Public Health
Explores potential and existing public health innovations that rural communities can implement to address challenges brought on or exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, including lack of funding for local health departments, insufficient broadband, and more. Describes the expansion of telehealth services, discusses rural/urban disparities, and offers recommendations for improvement.
Author(s): Angela Dearinger
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1277-1278
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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