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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Delivery of VA Telehealth Services During COVID-19
Provides an overview of veterans' access to telehealth services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the funding opportunities through the CARES Act and the Connected Care Pilot Program that aim to assist veterans with obtaining telehealth-related infrastructure during the pandemic.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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America at a Glance: How Do Working-Age Adults with Travel-Limiting Disabilities Get Around?
Examines the travel behaviors, employment status, and health of rural and urban residents with travel-related disabilities. Explores the use of public transit and other transportation services by rural and urban residence.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Characteristics of Counties with the Highest Proportion of the Oldest Old
Policy brief examining the characteristics of communities having the greatest percent of residents ages 85 and older. Discusses documented differences in rural-urban locations in long-term care availability and caregiver supports. Includes a list of counties with the highest proportion of the oldest old, a county-level map with shadings showing proportions of the oldest old, and statistics on county characteristics, with breakdowns by highest-prevalence rural counties, all counties, rural counties, and noncore rural counties.
Author(s): Carrie Henning-Smith, Megan Lahr, Jonathan Schroeder, Cody Tuttle, Samantha Mills
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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What Is the Impact on Rural Area Residents When the Local Physician Leaves?
Results of a pilot study exploring challenges in access to care that result when rural communities lose a family physician. Based on interviews with 18 participants from 3 geographically distinct rural areas of Virginia who had experienced the loss of a family physician within the past 5 years.
Author(s): Paulius Mui , Martha M. Gonzalez, Rebecca Etz
Citation: Family Medicine, 52(5), 352-356
Date: 05/2020
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Mental Health in a Pandemic: Q&A with Thomasine Heitkamp and Dennis Mohatt
An interview with Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center co-directors Thomasine Heitkamp and Dennis Mohatt on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses telehealth, economic insecurity, broadband, and mental health under COVID-19 and self-isolation.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Metropolitan/Nonmetropolitan COVID-19 Confirmed Cases and General and ICU Beds
Policy brief analyzing the number of hospital beds and cases of COVID-19 during the period from April 13, 2020, to April 19, 2020, to assess what impact the disease might have on rural facilities. Features statistics for counties with and without general and intensive care unit (ICU) beds, with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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The Effect of Rural Hospital Closures on Emergency Medical Service Response and Transport Times
Examines ways in which rural hospital closures affect EMS response time, transport time, and total activation time, using data from 2010-2016. Features statistics comparing rates prior to rural hospital closure and immediately post-closure.
Author(s): Katherine E.M. Miller, Hailey J. James, George Mark Holmes, Courtney H. Van Houtven
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(2), 288-300
Date: 04/2020
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Idaho Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) FY21 Primary Care Eligible Areas
County-level map with shadings showing primary care geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), population group HPSAs, and ineligible areas.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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Idaho Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) FY21 Dental Health Eligible Areas
County-level map with shadings showing dental geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), population group HPSAs, and ineligible areas.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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Scope of Practice for Extension Agents Delivering Health Programs
Outlines procedures and processes useful when recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluating extension agents and their activities in health program delivery to low-resource and rural communities. Describes South Carolina's Rural Health and Nutrition Extension Program.
Author(s): Michelle Parisi
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Clemson Cooperative Extension
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