The Opioid Epidemic: A Geography in Two Phases
Research report examining population and geographic data on two phases of the U.S. opioid epidemic. Examines the association between overdose deaths and chronic pain, physical disability rates, and economic hardship. Discusses the shift from overdose mortality associated with prescription opioids to illicit and synthetic opioids in the early 2010s, including in rural areas and the Northeastern U.S.
Additional links: Report summary
Author(s): David A. McGranahan, Timothy S. Parker
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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COVID-19 Demographic and Economic Resources
Provides access to U.S. Census Bureau data useful in pandemic-related decision-making, as well as data from other federal agencies. Offers state and county impact planning reports that provide sociodemographic data, including data on at-risk populations, poverty, and health insurance coverage. Also provides data on businesses and employment.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Kansas Institute for Policy and Social Research - COVID-19 Research and Resources
Provides links to COVID-19 resources, including research presentations concerning policy responses to and economic impacts of the virus as well as state and county-level statistics on COVID-19 cases, unemployment rates, broadband availability, and more.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research
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Redefining Rural: Towards a Better Understanding of Geography, Demography, and Economy in America's Rural Places
Offers a hybrid definition of rurality based on metro and non-metro definitions from the Office of Management and Budget, Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, and considers outlying communities in metro and micropolitan counties as rural. Compares rural and non-rural poverty rates, economic well-being, population changes, and other characteristics to represent counties in economic distress.
Author(s): Kennedy O'Dell
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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COVID-19: Sustained Federal Action Is Crucial as Pandemic Enters Its Second Year
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through March 10, 2021, including data on vaccine administration and COVID-19 relief spending. Offers 28 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding public health, the economy, and program integrity that would improve the federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Uplifting America's Left Behind Places: A Roadmap for a More Equitable Economy
Report examining economic inequality on a geographic scale, addressing inequity across states, rural and urban areas, and counties. Discusses types of spatial inequality, including health, economic, and racial inequities. Offers policy recommendations to leverage federal economic development policy to support local and regional development and discusses investments in connectivity and capacity-building, including broadband, infrastructure, labor markets, and civic institutions, particularly in rural areas.
Author(s): Kenan Fikri, Daniel Newman, Kennedy O'Dell
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Economic Innovation Group
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Broadband Today: Rural America's Critical Connection
Report discussing the importance of broadband to connecting rural communities, including its role in rural businesses, telehealth access, education, and agriculture. Addresses the impacts of COVID-19 on remote work, telehealth delivery, and changes to business and consumer activity, and explores future steps for broadband funding and adoption in rural areas.
Date: 02/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Foundation for Rural Service
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Community Health and Economic Prosperity: Engaging Businesses as Stewards and Stakeholders — A Report of the Surgeon General
Report examining the relationship between businesses and community vitality in the United States, including impacts on health, environment, and equality. Discusses the U.S. health disadvantage compared to other nations and the role of neighborhoods and businesses in shaping health and economic opportunity. Describes initiatives from business leaders in rural and tribal communities.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing: Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Opportunities
Discusses housing supply and affordability challenges and offers recommendations for federal, state, local, and tribal governments to reduce regulatory barriers and address these challenges. Describes rural/urban differences in housing market challenges. Covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing in the U.S.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Bringing Broadband to Rural America
Explores the economic impacts of broadband access in rural areas, including telemedicine opportunities and local business benefits. Discusses challenges related to the broadband infrastructure cost-funding gap and initiatives to expand broadband access.
Author(s): Alex Marré
Citation: Community Scope, 8(1), 1-10
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
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