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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Federally Qualified Health Centers
Infographic describing the estimated financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the communities they serve between April 2020 and June 2021.
Date: 2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Capital Link
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Working with Tribes to Achieve Interoperability
Describes the importance of the Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC) as a liaison between tribal councils and local emergency planning committees for identifying communication needs and for developing coordinated plans and procedures that align with statewide and regional governance. Highlights 3 tribal projects collaborating with states and regional entities to set priorities and advocate for new technologies to improve emergency communication systems. Identifies the goals, objectives, and examples of tribal activities that align with the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) recommendations.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
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Enhancing Rural Emergency Communications Capabilities
Highlights the accomplishments of University of Mississippi Medical Center's First Hands Program to establish communication systems and agency interoperability between non-medical first responders and medical teams, improve disaster response coordination, and identify solutions to improve the delivery of rural emergency medical care. This program was funded by the Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project (REMCDP) established by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and addresses the goals and objectives of the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP).
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
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Crisis Communication Plan with a Focus on COVID-19
Provides guidance intended for Tribal Nations of Montana and Wyoming, and useful to other rural communities, to assist them in developing a communication plan for use during an emergency or a pandemic event such as COVID-19. Discusses the methods to establish a communication team, identification of and response to hazards and risks, impact assessment, disbursement of internal and external information, and post crisis mitigation and evaluation.
Author(s): Divya Narala
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council
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Telemedicine Utilization Report: Telehealth and Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the use of telemedicine to deliver Medicaid-covered services in the state of Minnesota. Describes state and federal telehealth policy waivers and modifications that were temporarily implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses telehealth use by and special considerations for rural populations.
Author(s): Neerja Singh, Julie Marquardt
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Human Services
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Re-imagining Leadership: A Pathway for Rural Health to Thrive in a COVID-19 World
A COVID-19 emergency response playbook for rural healthcare delivery systems. Designed to build rural hospital and primary care leadership capacities around strategic thinking and local problem solving. Distills insights from rural hospital administrators, clinicians, and public health experts. Includes an assessment tool to help rural communities examine governance and leadership, community engagement, financial health, clinical care, and emergency preparedness and resilience.
Author(s): Lauren S. Hughes, Benjamin D. Anderson, Darlene B. Tad-y, et al.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Tool
Sponsoring organizations: Colorado Hospital Association, Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center
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Synergistic Disparities and Public Health Mitigation of COVID-19 in the Rural United States
Describes how public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize racial, economic, and geographic disparities, especially among rural and poor populations. Covers public health mitigation measures, including disease surveillance, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and public health communication. Discusses the ethical demands of public health practice during and following a public health emergency.
Author(s): Kata Chillag, Lisa Lee
Citation: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(4), 649-656
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Informing Health Care Workforce Policy by Leveraging Data: A Toolkit for States
Describes how healthcare workforce data can be used to address questions regarding access to care. Discusses three key considerations for states to improve their healthcare workforce data collection practices. Includes examples from states that utilized data to inform policy.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association
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Health Care Delivery System Reform: Six Policy Imperatives
Presents six recommendations for healthcare delivery system reform in order to improve quality, advance equity, and increase the affordability of healthcare in the United States. Includes specific policy recommendations for small and rural providers throughout.
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Puerto Rico Electricity: FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance Resilience
Report evaluates the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the damage to Puerto Rico's infrastructure in the three years since hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria hit the island. Bases evaluation on the agencies' response to previous recommendations made by GAO. Discusses the current state of Puerto Rico's electrical grid across the island, including in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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