This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Self-Collection for Primary HPV Testing: Perspectives on Implementation From Federally Qualified Health Centers
Analyzes feedback from clinical staff, administrative staff, and leadership in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) regarding the implementation of primary testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) by self-collection. Utilizes focus group and interview data from 6 North Carolina FQHCs about themes such as increased screening rates, accuracy of self-collection results, workflow disruptions, financial implications, impacts on clinic quality measures, and more. Includes feedback from rural FQHCs.
Author(s): Amanda Le, Catherine Rohweder, Stephanie B. Wheeler, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 20
Date: 10/2023
view details
Unvaccinated Adolescents' COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions: Implications for Public Health Messaging
Examines factors related to COVID-19 vaccine intentions in the U.S. adolescent population. Analyzes April 2021 survey data of 831 unvaccinated respondents regarding their vaccine hesitancy or acceptance according to age, sex, rurality, race/ethnicity, and concerns over COVID-19 infection and vaccine side effects, as well as additional factors impacting their vaccination decisions.
Author(s): Grace W. Ryan, Natoshia M. Askelson, Kate R. Woodworth, et al.
Citation: Journal of Adolescent Health, 73(4), 679-685
Date: 10/2023
view details
Changes in Healthcare Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Diabetes 2 Years Into the COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines changes in healthcare service use by people with diabetes over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing 2018-2021 Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiary data. Includes rural versus urban comparisons of month-by-month and year-by-year changes in usage of telehealth and inpatient services.
Author(s): Xilin Zhou, Linda J. Andes, Deborah B. Rolka, Giuseppina Imperatore
Citation: AJPM Focus, 2(3), 100117
Date: 09/2023
view details
Perspectives on HPV Vaccination in Rural America
Presents perspectives of four people who currently live or grew up in rural areas on the benefits of rural life, reasons for rural disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, and strategies for increasing rural HPV vaccination rates.
Author(s): Heather Brandt
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
view details
Sociodemographic Inequities in Telemedicine Use Among US Patients Initiating Treatment in Community Cancer Centers During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-2022
Evaluates demographic factors associated with use of telehealth within 90 days after starting cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing March 2020-March 2023 data of 36,993 cancer patients. Includes data on telehealth inequities by race and ethnicity, insurance, socioeconomic status, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Jenny S. Guadamuz, Xiaoliang Wang, Trevor J. Royce, Gregory S. Calip
Citation: JCO Oncology Practice, 19(12), 1206-1214
Date: 09/2023
view details
Telehealth Use and Access to Neurology Outpatient Clinical Services for Children: An Observational Cohort Study
Analyzes pediatric neurology appointment completion, cancellation, and no-show rates among telehealth users and telehealth non-users at a tertiary care children's hospital in North Carolina. Compares appointment outcomes before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, including rural versus urban demographic and outcome data.
Author(s): Savithri Nageswaran, Annette Grefe, Shyh-Huei Chen, Eric Kirkendall, Edward H. Ip
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 85(1)
Date: 09/2023
view details
Rural and Urban Variations in Pap Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Poster presentation that shows data on rural and urban receipt of Pap screenings between 2019 and 2022. Utilizes National Cancer Institutes HINT data to examine demographic differences and disparities in preventative cancer screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Amanda T. Wiggins, Tyrone F. Borders
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
view details
Implementation of Universal School Meals During COVID-19 and Beyond: School Food Authority and Parent Perspectives
Examines the implementation of the Universal School Meals (USM) policy during COVID-19 and the continuation of USM in California and Maine. Analyzes survey data from school food authorities (SFAs) and parents in both states. Reports on issues such as food procurement and staffing issues during COVID-19, parental perspectives on school meals, and benefits of USM. Includes feedback from rural areas in Maine.
Additional links: Brief
Author(s): Leah Chapman, Juliana F.W. Cohen, Wendi Gosliner, et al.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
view details
CDC's State of Vaccine Confidence Insights Report: Vaccination in Rural America Special Report
Examines vaccine confidence and uptake among rural populations in the United States between 2017-2023, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccination. Covers differences in vaccine uptake among rural, suburban, and rural populations. Discusses concerns about vaccination and identifies strategies for successful outreach to rural areas.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Hesitancy Among Pregnant Women — United States, April 2023
Examines influenza, Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among women pregnant during the 2022-23 influenza season. Includes data on vaccination coverage for those living in rural and nonrural areas.
Author(s): Hilda Razzaghi, Katherine E. Kahn, Kayla Calhoun, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(39), 1065-1071
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details