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Rural Health Information Hub

Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare.

Indicators of Broadband Need Map
Map depicting broadband availability and several indicators of need, including broadband speeds and access to connected technology at the county level. Other map layers include county boundaries, tribal lands, communities in which 20% or more of households are below the poverty level, and proximity to Minority Serving Institutions.
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organizations: Broadband USA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
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A Primer for Multi-Sector Health Partnerships in Rural Areas and Small Cities
Provides an overview of community-level investments in rural communities and small cities to support healthy lives through multi-sector efforts. Discusses the roles of healthcare, rural philanthropy, and community development organizations in supporting community health. Provides a toolbox that explores key terms, offers case studies, data sources, and links to national and local partners.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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County Data Maps from CEARH
Provides maps of the contiguous U.S. that represent data related to healthcare access at the county level, healthcare industry characteristics in rural counties, socio-demographic characteristics, and rural health characteristics. Map indicators can be adjusted to reflect specific types of data.
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Center for Economic Analysis of Rural Health
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Distressed Communities Index Interactive Map
Mapping tool that applies the Economic Innovation Group's Distressed Communities Index (DCI) to searchable areas including counties, zip codes, and congressional districts. Ranks communities according to a 5-tier system from prosperous to distressed, offering a specific distress score and data on DCI factors including poverty rate, housing information, income, and education.
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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Visualizing Rural Opportunities: Research, Mapping, and Data Analytics
Mapping and data analysis focused on rural communities. Includes a gallery of maps addressing various issues, including maps focused on rural technology, rural opportunity metrics, and the digital economy.
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organizations: Center on Rural Innovation, Rural Innovation Strategies
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County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Action Center
Assists communities to pursue data-informed action through resources covering needs assessments, strategic planning, evaluation, collaboration, and communication.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Rural Health
Features rural health initiatives, articles, and other related content to demonstrate the connection between health, rural community and economic development.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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Cooperative Extension System
Provides opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and access to resources and tools on a variety of topics including: adapting to new technology, preparing and responding to emergency situations, improving nutrition and food safety, and protecting the environment.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
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Rural Development Innovation Center
Website provides information about the Rural Development Innovation Center, which features resources and best practices for rural communities seeking to improve quality of life through job creation, infrastructure improvements, community partnerships, and more.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Rural Cooperatives Magazine
Magazine focused on the challenges and successes of rural cooperatives across the country. Featured bimonthly issues published by USDA Rural Development. Ceased publication in 2018, but web editions of past issues are available.
Type: Journal/Newsletter
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 6/19/2024