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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Building Trust in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) Science: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief
Summarizes findings from a March 2022 workshop focused on trustworthiness of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) institutions and researchers. Discusses how to promote trust in public health agencies and establishing communication strategies to address misinformation. Includes cultural issues related to rural and tribal communities.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Indian Health Service: Relief Funding and Agency Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Describes the COVID-19 relief funding for Indian Health Service (IHS), tribal, and urban Indian organization health facilities and how the funds were used to meet immediate and longstanding system needs. Discusses the initial IHS response to the pandemic and steps IHS took to address challenges that its hospitals faced responding to the pandemic.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Do Rural Hospitals Have An Advantage During A Pandemic?
Analysis of the challenges, advantages, and policy landscape affecting rural hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses workforce issues, community relationships, and emergency preparedness.
Author(s): Miriam Krikorian Atkinson, John L. Hick, Sara J. Singer, Nicholas V. Cagliuso, Paul D. Biddinger
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Health Affairs
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VA Recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission
Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Rural Community Pharmacists' Ability and Interest in Administering COVID-19 Vaccines in the Southern United States
Examines rural, southern community pharmacists' demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine training, and ability to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Utilizes survey responses from 69 pharmacists part of the Rural Research Alliance of Community Pharmacies (RURAL-CP) and provides data on COVID-19 vaccine preparedness, attitudes, and more.
Author(s): Delesha M. Carpenter, Tessa Hastings, Salisa Westrick, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 62(4), 1379-1383
Date: 01/2022
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COVID-19: Significant Improvements Are Needed for Overseeing Relief Funds and Leading Responses to Public Health Emergencies
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through early January 2022, including data on COVID-19 relief spending and vaccinations. Offers 5 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding emergency rental assistance, nutrition assistance, and tax relief for businesses. Also designates the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) leadership and coordination of a range of public health emergencies as high risk to ensure sustained executive branch and congressional attention so the nation is prepared for future emergencies.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Disaster Recovery: School Districts in Socially Vulnerable Communities Faced Heightened Challenges after Recent Natural Disasters
Examines 5 school districts in socially vulnerable communities and describes problems faced by students after disasters, including housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of access to mental health services, especially in rural communities. Includes a state- and territory-level map showing school districts that received federal recovery grants for 2017-2019 presidentially-declared disasters.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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What Can We Do When the Smoke Rolls In? An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis of the Impacts of Rural Wildfire Smoke on Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Opportunities for Adaptation
Study examining the mental health and wellbeing impacts of wildfire smoke events based on community focus group sessions and key informant interviews with healthcare and social service providers in Okanogan County, Washington. Describes wildfire smoke exposure effects on anxiety, depressive symptoms, isolation, and physical health, and explores opportunities for healthcare and community interventions.
Author(s): Anna Humphreys, Elizabeth G. Walker, Gregory N. Bratman, Nicole A. Errett
Citation: BMC Public Health, 22, 41
Date: 01/2022
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Fatality Management in Rural Areas: How One Justice of the Peace Oversaw the Uvalde School Shooting
Interview with Judge Eulalio "Lalo" Diaz, Jr., Justice of the Peace in Uvalde County, Texas, describing his experience as acting coroner at the time of the May 2022 school shooting. Dr. Kimberly Molina, Chief Medical Examiner for Bexar County, Texas's Medical Examiner's Office, also shares lessons learned following her experience with two mass fatality events and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Citation: The Exchange, (16), 1-5
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Emerging Stronger After COVID-19: Priorities for Health System Transformation
Collection of papers examining the weaknesses of major healthcare sectors before the COVID-19 pandemic, how each sector responded to the pandemic, and the opportunities that exist for strengthening and transforming the healthcare system. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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