Rural Public Health Agencies – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Public Health Agencies.
HAI/AR Rural, Frontier, and Small LHDs Exploratory Survey and In-Depth Interview Analysis & Resources
Provides information related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) issues in rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs). Includes links to survey results regarding HAIs, AMR, and AMS initiatives; report on HAIs, AMR, and AMS-focused interviews held with LHDs and other rural partners; infographics to explain results of respective survey and report; and a 6-part blog series covering HAIs, AMR, and AMS issues.
Author(s): Jaclyn Abramson
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Provides information related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) issues in rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs). Includes links to survey results regarding HAIs, AMR, and AMS initiatives; report on HAIs, AMR, and AMS-focused interviews held with LHDs and other rural partners; infographics to explain results of respective survey and report; and a 6-part blog series covering HAIs, AMR, and AMS issues.
Author(s): Jaclyn Abramson
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Exploring Multi-Sector Collaboration: A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Models of Investment
A webinar recording highlighting a May 2022 report discussing how healthcare organizations can collaborate with economic stakeholders to improve population health. Discusses how to build partnership models by exploring case studies that use upstream health interventions in rural areas.
Author(s): Samantha Borow, Colleen Flynn, Ashley Hernandez, Rebecca Lemmons
Date: 11/2022
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A webinar recording highlighting a May 2022 report discussing how healthcare organizations can collaborate with economic stakeholders to improve population health. Discusses how to build partnership models by exploring case studies that use upstream health interventions in rural areas.
Author(s): Samantha Borow, Colleen Flynn, Ashley Hernandez, Rebecca Lemmons
Date: 11/2022
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Best of ARM: Evaluating Engagement in Multisector Community Health Networks: The Case of Tribal Organizations
Highlights a study on public health systems' engagement with tribal organizations. Aims to quantify the interactions between public health systems and tribal organizations in tribal communities where tribal facilities are present. Details the factors that contribute to more engagement with tribal organizations and make suggestions to promote collaboration.
Author(s): Kelsey M. Owsley, Kyla L. Bauer, Glen P. Mays
Citation: Health Services Research, 57(5), 1077-1086
Date: 10/2022
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Highlights a study on public health systems' engagement with tribal organizations. Aims to quantify the interactions between public health systems and tribal organizations in tribal communities where tribal facilities are present. Details the factors that contribute to more engagement with tribal organizations and make suggestions to promote collaboration.
Author(s): Kelsey M. Owsley, Kyla L. Bauer, Glen P. Mays
Citation: Health Services Research, 57(5), 1077-1086
Date: 10/2022
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Reimagining and Reinvesting in Rural Hospital Markets
Commentary examining the hospital infrastructure needed in rural areas and how rural hospitals can be financed. Discusses current issues related to rural hospital services and how public health policy and infrastructure can impact the health of rural citizens.
Author(s): Caitlin Carroll, Arrianna Planey, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Health Services Research, 57(5), 1001-1005
Date: 10/2022
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Commentary examining the hospital infrastructure needed in rural areas and how rural hospitals can be financed. Discusses current issues related to rural hospital services and how public health policy and infrastructure can impact the health of rural citizens.
Author(s): Caitlin Carroll, Arrianna Planey, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Citation: Health Services Research, 57(5), 1001-1005
Date: 10/2022
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Rural Local Health Department Partnership in Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): In-Depth Interviews Report
Reports on an assessment of rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs) and their engagement with Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Provides performance information on LHDs engaged in initiatives to address HAI, AMR, and AMS, barriers preventing LHDs from engaging in initiatives, and overall workforce development and capacity of LHDs. Discusses the May 2022 interviews of 11 LHD representatives and 2 non-local health departments and includes results and recommendations.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Reports on an assessment of rural, frontier, and small local health departments (LHDs) and their engagement with Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) initiatives. Provides performance information on LHDs engaged in initiatives to address HAI, AMR, and AMS, barriers preventing LHDs from engaging in initiatives, and overall workforce development and capacity of LHDs. Discusses the May 2022 interviews of 11 LHD representatives and 2 non-local health departments and includes results and recommendations.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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A Playbook for New Rural Healthcare Partnership Models of Investment
Provides information for healthcare organizations looking to collaborate with local community and economic stakeholders to improve the health of their citizens. Includes case studies of multisector partnerships in rural areas that focus on upstream interventions, such as strengthening economic support, supporting local control, strengthening infrastructure to support healthcare access, and increasing resources.
Additional links: Update
Author(s): Ruth Thomas-Squance, Ashley Hernandez, Colleen Flynn, et al.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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Provides information for healthcare organizations looking to collaborate with local community and economic stakeholders to improve the health of their citizens. Includes case studies of multisector partnerships in rural areas that focus on upstream interventions, such as strengthening economic support, supporting local control, strengthening infrastructure to support healthcare access, and increasing resources.
Additional links: Update
Author(s): Ruth Thomas-Squance, Ashley Hernandez, Colleen Flynn, et al.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
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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
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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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
Sponsoring organizations: Health Communications Consultants, Inc., National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Rural Public Health: Improving the Health and Well-Being of Rural Populations
Policy position paper focused on public health activities in rural areas and the rural public health infrastructure. Offers policy recommendations that could improve rural public health outcomes.
Author(s): Brady Beecham, Vicki Brooks, Alanti McGill
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position paper focused on public health activities in rural areas and the rural public health infrastructure. Offers policy recommendations that could improve rural public health outcomes.
Author(s): Brady Beecham, Vicki Brooks, Alanti McGill
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Guidance on PFAS Exposure, Testing, and Clinical Follow-Up
Report examining the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are common in well water in rural areas and have been linked to adverse health effects including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol, and reductions in birth weight. Recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health departments support clinicians in communities where PFAS contamination has been identified, by creating educational materials on PFAS exposure, potential health effects, the limitations of testing, and the benefits and harms of testing.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Report examining the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are common in well water in rural areas and have been linked to adverse health effects including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol, and reductions in birth weight. Recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health departments support clinicians in communities where PFAS contamination has been identified, by creating educational materials on PFAS exposure, potential health effects, the limitations of testing, and the benefits and harms of testing.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Rural Public Health and Health Care: A Scan of Field Practice and Trends
Offers a historical overview of rural healthcare and rural public health theories and practice methods and describes newer theories, such as value-based care, personalized medicine, social determinants of health, and health in all policies. Outlines trends in public health and healthcare, including community engagement, evidence-based decision making, and delivery integration, discussing rural implications of these trends.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Offers a historical overview of rural healthcare and rural public health theories and practice methods and describes newer theories, such as value-based care, personalized medicine, social determinants of health, and health in all policies. Outlines trends in public health and healthcare, including community engagement, evidence-based decision making, and delivery integration, discussing rural implications of these trends.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:
Last Updated: 9/3/2025