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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

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
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
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Framework for a Community Health Observing System for the Gulf of Mexico Region: Preparing for Future Disasters
Outlines a system for monitoring community health during potential disasters in the Gulf of Mexico region. Details the a framework for collecting and organizing data, and discusses considerations in assessing the disparities between rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Paul Sandifer, Landon Knapp, Maureen Lichtveld, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 578463
Date: 10/2020
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Supporting CAHs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Summary Results of a Survey of State Flex Coordinators
Summarizes key findings from a survey of State Flex Programs regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) between May 26 - July 2, 2020. Describes the type of support and assistance requested by CAHs, promising strategies State Flex Programs used to support CAHs, and how State Flex Programs are planning for CAH needs after the pandemic.
Author(s): John Gale, Zachariah Croll, Yvonne Jonk, Sara Kahn-Troster, Karen Pearson
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Providing Menu and Shopping Toolkits to Improve Food Access and Security During a Pandemic
Describes menu and shopping list toolkits created by the University of Minnesota Extension to help consumers, rural grocery stores, and emergency food supply organizations achieve increased access to healthy food during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, blizzards, or other situations in which people must shelter at home. Menus contain items commonly found in food pantries and small rural grocery stores.
Author(s): Kelly Kunkel, Abby Gold, Betsy Johnson
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10(1), 257-260
Date: 09/2020
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Supporting Puerto Rico's Disaster Recovery Planning
Examines the conditions in Puerto Rico before and after Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. Presents a cross-sectional analysis of the disaster in rural and urban areas. Explores the state of healthcare, infrastructure, economy, ecology, and communication in Puerto Rico and discusses plans for recovery.
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Health and Social Services in Puerto Rico Before and After Hurricane Maria
Report details the conditions of health and social services in Puerto Rico before and after Hurricane Maria. Discusses the challenges faced in providing healthcare and social services across the island before the hurricane, the effect of the hurricane on services and infrastructure, and potential plans for recovery. Highlights the specific challenges faced by rural communities with regards to access.
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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An Evaluation of FirstNet's Progress
Presents a recording of a September 24, 2020, hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Examines FirstNet and AT&T's progress on developing a nationwide public safety broadband network. Testimony from Jason Porter, Senior Vice President of AT&T, discusses FirstNet's focus on rural America.
Additional links: Jason Porter Testimony
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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COVID-19: Federal Efforts Could Be Strengthened by Timely and Concerted Actions
Examines key actions the federal government has taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifies lessons learned and issues that require continued attention by federal policymakers. Details recommendations to prepare for and improve the ongoing federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Rural EMS COVID-19 Preparedness Checklist
Provides a checklist for rural response agencies to evaluate their current level of preparedness and identify areas that need additional action to better respond to COVID-19. Covers planning, strategy, personal protective equipment and supplies, workforce and recruiting, and funding.
Date: 08/2020
Sponsoring organizations: American Ambulance Association, Federal Healthcare Resilience Working Group
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