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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response

From Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires
Reports on the impact of the August 2023 Hawaii wildfires on the health, wellness, and life of people living in West Maui and Kula. Topics covered include mental health, physical health, access to healthcare, housing, employment, and social support. The associated dashboard provides data from the report in interactive form.
Additional links: Dashboard
Author(s): Ruben Juarez, Alika Maunakea, Krit Phankitnirundorn, et al.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai'i
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Navigating Natural Disasters: Lessons from North Carolina's Medicaid Response to Hurricane Recovery
Discusses disaster relief in North Carolina with North Carolina's Medicaid Chief Medical Officer, Janelle White. Focuses on preparedness, protecting various populations, problem solving, coordinating relationships, rural providers and agencies, and more.
Author(s): Emily Eelman
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Health Care Strategies, Juniper Peak Consulting
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The Reliability of Wisconsin's Fire Service
Provides an overview of fire services in Wisconsin with fire department data collected by the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Focuses on fire department staffing, assistance from other fire departments, fire department funding and training, and strategies to improve the reliability of fire service response.
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Office of Rural Health
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Public Health Preparedness: HHS Needs a Coordinated National Approach for Diagnostic Testing for Pandemic Threats
Describes a roundtable of 19 experts the Government Accountability Office (GAO) convened to discuss actions the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should take to improve diagnostic testing for infectious diseases with pandemic potential. Identifies actions suggested by the experts, including two areas commonly repeated by experts. Offers four recommendations to HHS related to developing a national diagnostic testing strategy and establishing a national testing forum. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2025
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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On the Edge: Cybersecurity Health of America's Resource-Constrained Health Providers Findings and Recommendations
Summarizes insights on cybersecurity risks and concerns from leaders of resource-constrained healthcare facilities, including rural hospitals and clinics. Discusses risk mitigation strategies used, readiness, and past experience with cybersecurity incidents. Includes recommendations to government and community partners to support preparedness, incident response, and compliance with cybersecurity rules.
Author(s): Cybersecurity Working Group
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC)
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Critical Condition: Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft Part 2
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, about how rural hospitals can protect themselves from cyber attacks, near-term risks, and building resilience over time. Provides an overview of the Microsoft cybersecurity program for rural hospitals and lessons learned from the program so far.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Critical Condition: Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals with Microsoft Part 1
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Justin Spelhaug, corporate vice president and global head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, regarding rural hospitals' vulnerability to cyber attacks, impacts of cyber attacks on rural hospitals and their communities, and cyber threat trends.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Landscape
Explores the current state of rural hospitals, the unique cybersecurity threats they face, and the impact of cyberattacks on rural hospitals. Discusses how technology companies can help address immediate cybersecurity risks and broader systemic challenges facing rural hospitals. Provides an overview of Microsoft's Cybersecurity for Rural Hospitals Program, including case studies and lessons learned from the program's first year.
Author(s): Erin Burchfield, Rachel Clark, Laura Kreofsky
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Microsoft
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Navigating Natural Disasters: Key Strategies for Medicaid Agencies to Support Members
Provides information on the impact of natural disasters on people, communities, and the economy. Discusses how Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can address health needs of their members by strengthening disaster preparedness, working with managed care organizations, and focusing on policy. Includes examples from rural areas.
Author(s): Armelle Casau, Rachel Yard
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Cybersecurity Risks in Rural Healthcare Webinar
A recorded webinar that provides information about cybersecurity risks in rural areas and strategies to improve resilience and security. Subtitles available in video.
Additional links: Slides
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Hospital Association
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