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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19

Mental Health Service Use, Suicide Behavior, and Emergency Department Visits Among Rural US Veterans Who Received Video-Enabled Tablets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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The Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
Provides an overview of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), which was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to reimburse eligible health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19. Offers answers to frequently asked questions regarding how funds have been allocated and provider reporting requirements. Includes information on the relationship between the PRF and funding appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act for rural providers.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthy Lifestyles in Rural Families
Evaluates the effects of the early COVID-19 pandemic on family health behaviors, utilizing thematic analysis of 30 interviews conducted from June 2020 through September 2020 with rural caregivers who were participants in a healthy lifestyles intervention. Discusses themes related to mental health, physical activity, time use, approaches to parenting and family routines, and food choice.
Author(s): Keisha M. England, Bethany Forseth, Maheen Bangash, et al.
Citation: Journal of Healthy Eating and Active Living, 2(1), 23-31
Date: 03/2022
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Treatment-Seeking Families with Children with Overweight or Obesity
Presents results of a May 2020 survey on parental stress, personal well-being, and family health behaviors during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes data from 77 rural Kansas parents whose children were participants in a 2nd to 4th grade pediatric obesity intervention.
Author(s): Bethany Forseth, Kelsey M. Dean, Megan Murray, et al.
Citation: Children's Health Care, 51(3), 300-315
Date: 03/2022
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New Census Bureau Population Estimates Show COVID-19 Impact on Fertility and Mortality Across the Nation
Presents information on population changes in the U.S. over the past decade and how COVID-19 has impacted population in the past year. Includes charts showing 2011-2021 state-level natural decreases, births, and deaths, as well as maps showing 2020-2021 county-level natural changes.
Author(s): Sandra Johnson, Shannon Sabo
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Minnesota's Health Care Workforce: Pandemic-Provoked Workforce Exits, Burnout, and Shortages
Reports on loss of healthcare professionals in Minnesota due to turnover, burnout, reduction in working hours, early retirement, and more. Provides charts of workforce professionals in 2019 compared to 2021 by vacancy, working a position unrelated to healthcare license, job dissatisfaction, and more, as well as charts showing rural versus urban comparisons of workforce issues.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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COVID-19 and the Rural Health Workforce: The Impact of Federal Pandemic Funding to Address Workforce Needs
Policy brief describing workforce challenges faced by rural healthcare delivery systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussing how pre-pandemic financial instability in rural healthcare facilities may have contributed to these challenges. Discusses the availability of federal pandemic funding to address rural health workforce needs, the ability of rural facilities to access and utilize the funding, and the long-term needs of the rural health workforce and delivery system. Addresses telehealth solutions to workforce challenges, and funding sources for mental health needs of health professionals
Author(s): Natalia V. Oster, Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Rural Hospital Profitability during the Global COVID-19 Pandemic Requires Careful Interpretation
Findings brief describing the trend of rural hospital profitability in 2011-19 and explaining why possible increases in reported profitability during the pandemic (2020-21) may mask the long-term financial challenges of rural hospitals. Features statistics including median total margin of all rural hospitals and percentage of rural hospitals with a total negative margin by year from 2011-2021, and estimated distribution of provider relief funding to hospitals as of February 2021, with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): George Pink, Susie Gurzenda, Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Over Two-Thirds of the Nation's Counties Had Natural Decrease in 2021
Presents county-level population changes from 2020-2021 based on U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2021 Population Estimates data. Reports on micropolitan and metropolitan areas and discusses impact of aging populations and COVID-19 on counties. Includes a U.S. map depicting percent population change by county.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Rural Adults Report Worse Employment and Economic Impacts from COVID-19 than Urban Adults
Brief examining rural and urban differences in the impacts of COVID-19 on physical and mental health, financial well-being, employment, and social relationships among adults age 18-64. Analyzes data from the 2021 National Wellbeing Survey of 4,014 adults.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Population Research Network
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