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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health conditions

COVID-19: Efforts to Increase Vaccine Availability and Perspectives on Initial Implementation
Examines the federal government's efforts related to COVID-19 vaccines between October 2020 and April 2021, including vaccine development and vaccination program implementation. Describes challenges to vaccine implementation and steps taken by the government in response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Notes from the Field: COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Program — Spirit Lake Tribe, North Dakota, September–November 2020
Reports on how the CDC helped the Spirit Lake Tribe build a tribally managed program to address increasing COVID-19 cases through comprehensive case investigations, case notification, contact tracing, contact testing, and contact management. Describes the work of Spirit Lake community members who served as investigators and contact tracers, providing advice about the need to isolate or quarantine. Discusses housing challenges that impacted isolation and quarantine efforts.
Author(s): James Matthias, Tracy Charboneau, Cheri Schaffer, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 533-534
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Use of Stay-at-Home Orders and Mask Mandates to Control COVID-19 Transmission — Blackfeet Tribal Reservation, Montana, June–December 2020
Reports on the impact of community mitigation resolutions passed and enforced by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council on COVID-19 incidence in the Blackfeet Tribal Reservation. Mitigation measures included case investigation, contact tracing, a mandatory stay-at-home order, and required mask use in public.
Author(s): Caroline Q. Pratt, Anna N. Chard, Rosaula LaPine, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 514-518
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Among American Indian/Alaska Native and White Persons — Montana, March 13–November 30, 2020
Examines COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and White people in Montana. Discusses factors that may have contributed to greater incidence and mortality for the AI/AN population and the need for appropriate public health measures and vaccine allocation strategies to address disparities.
Author(s): Laura L. Williamson, Todd S. Harwell, Todd M. Koch, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 510-513
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Care Systems COVID-19 Impact Assessment: Lessons Learned and Compelling Needs
Explores the clinical and public health responses and experiences of hospitals and health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presents policy actions and policy considerations to leverage the lessons of the pandemic to improve health system financing, infrastructure, and coordination. Includes information on challenges and priority areas for consideration for rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Jeffrey Balser, Jaewon Ryu, Michelle Hood, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Spatial Analysis of Health Care Utilization among Medicare Beneficiaries with Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis and Other Related Pneumoconiosis
Results of a study to determine and map the geographical distribution of healthcare utilization patterns among 8,625 Medicare beneficiaries with black lung disease (CWP) and other related respiratory diseases from 2011-2014. Features statistics with breakdowns by type of coal work-related disease and county-level maps showing healthcare utilization rates for beneficiaries with CWP or other related pneumoconiosis as the diagnosis.
Author(s): Ahmed A. Arif, Claudio Owusu, Rajib Paul, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Associated with a Local Bar Opening Event — Illinois, February 2021
Reports on a rural indoor bar opening event that resulted in COVID-19 cases among bar patrons and employees, as well as secondary cases in the community that impacted a long-term care facility and a school. Discusses the need for prevention measures as community businesses reopen.
Author(s): Samira Sami, Caitlin R. Turbyfill, Shelby Daniel-Wayman, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(14), 528-532
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Use of Selected Recommended Clinical Preventive Services — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2018
Examines use of 10 recommended clinical preventive services: colon cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, HIV testing, pneumococcal vaccination, influenza vaccination, diabetes screening, HPV vaccination, zoster (shingles) vaccination, and tetanus vaccination. Includes data for urban and rural counties, as well as the urban to rural prevalence ratio.
Author(s): Suhang Song, Allison White, James E. Kucik
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(13), 461-466
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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A Cross-sectional Analysis of Trust of Information and COVID-19 Preventative Practices among People with Disabilities
Analyzes the level of trust in information sources about COVID-19 and associated compliance to COVID-19 public health recommendations among people with disabilities. Examines data by respondents' demographics, including age, geography, and type of disability, in addition to the type of information source.
Author(s): Catherine Ipsen, Andrew Myers, Rayna Sage
Citation: Disability and Health Journal, 14(2), 101062
Date: 04/2021
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Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub
Presents regularly updated data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska. Features reports, FAQs, and interactive maps detailing COVID-19 data.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Department of Health
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