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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19

Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020
Identifies factors that contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in early 2020. Discusses transmission due to travel, large gatherings (including a funeral in rural Georgia), high-risk workplaces such as rural meatpacking facilities, densely populated areas, and unrecognized transmission related to limited testing and asymptomatic and presymptomatic spread.
Author(s): Anne Schuchat
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(18), 551-556
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 Among Workers in Meat and Poultry Processing Facilities ― 19 States, April 2020
Examines COVID-19 cases among workers in 115 meat and poultry processing facilities reported by 19 states. Discusses factors potentially affecting risk for infection, including difficulties with workplace physical distancing and hygiene and crowded living and transportation conditions. Includes recommended changes to address these issues.
Author(s): Jonathan W. Dyal, Michael P. Grant, Kendra Broadwater, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(18), 557-561
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 and the Indian Health Service
Discusses how the Indian Health Service (IHS) has been impacted by COVID-19. Describes concerns some tribes have, including the IHS testing capacity for COVID-19, workforce shortages, and lost revenue at IHS facilities. Outlines federal funding efforts to enhance the IHS COVID-19 response.
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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An Older Population Increases Estimated COVID-19 Death Rates in Rural America
Examines the influence of age structure and other factors on the spread of coronavirus in rural areas of the U.S. Compares the incidence of the virus and the estimated mortality rates due to the virus in rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Kenneth M. Johnson
Date: 05/2020
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
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Hospital Access in the Fifth District and COVID-19
Examines hospital access in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Discusses concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides state- and county-level statistics and data on number of hospital beds per capita, average distance to nearest hospitals, and more.
Author(s): Surekha Carpenter, Tim Sablik
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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How will the COVID-19 Recession Impact People with Disabilities in Rural America?
Fact sheet discussing ways in which rural people with disabilities are potentially impacted by the COVID-19 recession. Analyzes data from the 2015 and 2016 Survey of Household Economics and Decision-making and the American Time Use Survey 2017-18 Leave and Job Flexibilities Module. Features statistics on numbers of people with disabilities who have emergency funds, paid sick leave, and jobs that can be done from home, with breakdowns by rural or metropolitan location.
Author(s): Bryce Ward, Andrew Myers, Catherine Ipsen, Lauren Smith
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: University of Montana: Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
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Federal Health Centers and COVID-19
Describes the early federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Health Center Program facilities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Describes the funding directed to the Health Center Program and the flexibilities for FQHCs to provide telehealth services during the public health emergency.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Selected Health Provisions in Title III of the CARES Act (P.L. 116-136)
Provides an overview of the healthcare-related provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Focuses on sections of the law addressing medical supply shortages, testing and preventative services, and support for the healthcare workforce. Discusses provisions related to telehealth services and rural healthcare systems.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Mitigating COVID-19's Rural Impact on Families At-Risk for Violence and Child Maltreatment and Neglect
Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on rural children experiencing maltreatment and those living in situations of intimate partner violence. Describes how rural communities and providers can help through community awareness efforts and changes to screening and other service delivery approaches.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Wilson Medical Center Implements Creative Care Alternatives to Address COVID-19
Describes Wilson Medical Center's implementation of curbside and telehealth services in response to COVID-19 in rural Kansas. Offers lessons learned from the transition to alternative solutions and future goals for adapting healthcare services as needed.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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