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Rural Health Information Hub

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

Rural Development 2018 Performance Report
Report highlights the performance of investments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for 2018. Features three successful rural programs funded by USDA Rural Development. Includes a list of Rural Development State Offices.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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The Relationship Between Rural Setting and Health: Factors that Influence Individuals With or at Risk of CVD - A Summary of the Literature
Describes current literature on rural challenges and opportunities, including cardiovascular risk due to obesity, lack of access to healthcare, workforce shortages, importance of paramedics and community health workers, telehealth and broadband, and impact of the substance use disorder epidemic. Intended to help stakeholders understand the causes of health disparities and to support action to improve the health of rural communities.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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Deconstructing the Digital Divide: Identifying the Supply and Demand Factors That Drive Internet Subscription Rates
Provides discussion and analysis on the factors influencing broadband subscription rates, including information based on service availability and community attributes. Describes rural specific examples and contexts throughout.
Author(s): Michael J. R. Martin
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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State Innovation Models (SIM) Round 2: Model Test Annual Report Three
Third annual report on the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) program across eleven participating states - Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Addresses the adoption of delivery models and payment reforms related to value-based payment (VBP) and alternative payment models (APMs). Offers an update and lessons learned on strategies to support healthcare delivery transformation related to behavioral health integration, data for improving health care quality and performance, health information technology, care coordination, and workforce development. Describes states' population health activities. Includes discussion of rural issues throughout the report.
Additional links: Findings at a Glance
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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2018 Report to Congress: Annual Update on the Adoption of a Nationwide System for the Electronic Use and Exchange of Health Information
Annual report to Congress describing progress related to the adoption of health information technology (HIT). Describes barriers to progress and recommendations related to interoperability, technical capacity, data transparency, and support for provider adoption.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Methods Used to Enable Interoperability among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals in 2017
Analyzes 2017 American Hospital Association IT Supplement survey data to describe the methods used by acute care hospitals in the U.S. to support interoperability. Discusses hospital participation in health information networks by hospital size and location. Includes information on the rates of small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals' (CAH) use of non-electronic methods to exchanging patient health information with partners outside their hospital system.
Author(s): Christian Johnson, Yuriy Pylypchuk, Vaishali Patel
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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RAY BAUM'S Act: A Bipartisan Foundation for Bridging the Digital Divide
Presents a congressional hearing from the House Energy & Commerce Committee on the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (RAY BAUM'S) Act, which reauthorized the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with reforms intended to help promote the deployment of broadband. Includes provisions targeted towards increasing broadband access for rural and tribal areas. Features testimony from representatives of the National Association of Broadcasters, Competitive Carriers Association, APCO International, and the Milwaukee Public Broadcast Station.
Additional links: Bohdan Zachary Testimony, Tim Donovan Testimony
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Broadband Subscription Rate for U.S. Counties
Bar chart showing average broadband subscription rates for households with incomes under $50,000 and incomes of $50,000 or more, for mostly urban, mostly rural, and completely rural counties.
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Percentage of Households With Subscription to Any Broadband Service: 2013-2017
National map showing household broadband subscription rates by county.
Additional links: Completely Rural Counties, Mostly Rural Counties, Mostly Urban Counties
Date: 12/2018
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Expanding Internet Access: Bank Financing for Rural Broadband Initiatives
Highlights multiple initiatives and other work being done by banks and federal savings associations to help rural communities expand access to broadband and internet services. Discusses broadband projects in rural Minnesota, Appalachian County Ohio, Alabama, and Alaska.
Date: 11/2018
Sponsoring organization: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
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