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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

Health and Medical Response to Active Shooter and Bombing Events
Explores key issues and serves as a prompt for responders and planners to consider areas where their communities can address potential gaps. Addresses challenges specific to crisis situations in rural areas.
Author(s): John L. Hick, Dan Hanfling, Bruce Evans, et al.
Date: 06/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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All-Hazards Preparedness for Rural Communities: A Guide to Help Rural Agriculture Communities Prepare for Threats to Their Families, Farms, Animals and Businesses
Guide for individuals, farmers, and businesses in rural agricultural communities preparing for an all-hazards approach for their communities and commodities. Includes preparedness information and plans for families, homes, pets, farms, livestock, crops, and businesses regarding threats, such as biological, man-made, or technological threats.
Author(s): Jessica Platts, Shaine Devoe, Ashley Osborn, Stellena Nelson, Glenda Dvorak
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Food Security and Public Health
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Food Allergy Emergency Preparedness in Illinois Schools: Rural Disparity in Guideline Implementation
Assesses the current practices and preparedness in the ability of Illinois schools to handle food allergy emergencies. Includes information on school preparedness plans, school nurse response, availability of epinephrine, and the impact of state legislation related to food allergy emergencies in schools by rural, suburban, and urban location.
Author(s): Christine Szychlinski, Katherine A. Schmeissing, Zeena Fuleihan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 3(5), 805-807
Date: 09/2015
Type: Document
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Lessons on Climate Change and Poverty From the California Drought
Examines the impact of California's droughts on vulnerable populations, including low-income, agricultural communities and Native American populations. Discusses drought-related health conditions and the drought's impact on food security, especially for agricultural workers. Offers recommendations to address the uneven impact of climate change, including emergency money for small and rural communities affected by the drought.
Author(s): Wendy Ortiz
Date: 08/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for American Progress
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Emergency Preparedness Handbook for Tribal Governments
Describes strategies for developing and implementing plans for disaster management on tribal lands. Includes sample emergency plans and a list of federal and tribal online resources for emergency preparedness and response.
Author(s): Jon Mielke, Dick Winchell, Ashley Murphy
Date: 12/2014
Type: Document
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How EMS in Rural Methow Valley, Washington, Coped with a Devastating Wildfire
Describes the emergency medical service (EMS) response in the aftermath of a wildfire, in which patients and providers were cut off from hospitals, 911 coverage, and power. Shows the importance of advanced preparedness and planning by rural EMS agencies.
Author(s): Cindy Button
Citation: JEMS (Journal of Emergency Medical Services), 39(10), 46-9
Date: 10/2014
Type: Document
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Responding to Medical Surge in Rural Communities: Practices for Immediate Bed Availability
Describes strategies and practices that enable local health departments and healthcare organizations serving rural areas to assist their communities during emergencies resulting in medical surge. Explores ways to ensure adequate levels of care for all patients, including telehealth services and integrated information sharing systems.
Date: 09/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Perceptions of Disaster Risk and Vulnerability in Rural Texas
Describes how rural communities are vulnerable to natural hazards such as drought, wildfires, and floods. Provides a demographic overview of rural Texas and discusses vulnerability, risk, and disaster planning. Discusses how rural places are home to people with characteristics that increase vulnerability to impacts of disaster, such as lower incomes and lower levels of education.
Author(s): Andrew J. Prelog, Lee M. Miller
Citation: Journal of Rural Social Sciences, 28(3), 1-31
Date: 2013
Type: Document
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Regional Resilience: Research and Policy Brief
Summarizes research on disaster resiliency. Provides a framework for assessing current policy and practice as it relates to regional resilience. Includes rural areas.
Author(s): Brian Dabson, Colleen M. Heflin, Kathleen K. Miller
Date: 02/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Determinants of Emergency Response Willingness in the Local Public Health Workforce by Jurisdictional and Scenario Patterns: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Examines 4 urban and 4 rural local health departments' willingness to respond to naturally-occurring and terrorism-related emergency scenarios. Includes data on characteristics and comparison of willingness-to-respond between urban and rural respondents.
Author(s): Daniel J. Barnett, Carol B. Thompson, Nicole A. Errett, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 12, 164
Date: 2012
Type: Document
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