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Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

Notes from the Field: Prevalence of Previous Dengue Virus Infection Among Children and Adolescents Aged 7–16 Years — American Samoa, September–October 2023
Results of a serosurvey of 887 students in American Samoa who were tested for dengue immunoglobulin G. Information on prevalence of previous dengue virus infection among school-age children and adolescents was needed to guide decisions on dengue vaccine implementation.
Author(s): Sandra Kiplagat, Noelle Tavale, Adam Konrote, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 73(31), 686-688
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Home Environment Factors Associated with Child BMI Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic
Examines the relationship between childhood obesity and home environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Observes body mass index (BMI) records and Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) screenings from a predominantly rural health system in Pennsylvania.
Author(s): Carolyn F. McCabe, G. Craig Wood, Gregory J. Welk, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 21, 84
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
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The Effect of Proximity to Grocery Stores and the Pandemic on Parents' and Youths' Perceptions of Eating Habits in Predominately African American Rural Communities
Surveyed 203 youth and parents to determine the impact of grocery store access on eating habits, health, and exercise habits in 3 African American rural communities. Compares results between parents with and without grocery store access as well as between parents and youth. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on eating habits and exercise.
Author(s): Amanda Williams, Sharlene D. Newman
Citation: Frontiers in Nutrition, 11
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
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Factors Associated With Surveillance Testing in Individuals With COVID-19 Symptoms During the Last Leg of the Pandemic: Multivariable Regression Analysis
Examines demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 testing in a predominantly rural, underserved population in West Virginia between May and November 2022. Utilizes Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations program (RADx-UP2) survey data of 2103 individuals. Includes a geospatial analysis of associations between county-level community distress and likelihood of being symptomatic when presenting for testing.
Author(s): Timothy Dotson, Brad Price, Brian Witrick, et al.
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2024(10), e52762
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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New Mexico State-Tribal Collaboration Act Agency Report 2024
Summarizes collaboration between New Mexico state agencies and tribal nations regarding current public health priorities, including COVID-19, substance use disorder, maternal and child health, and cancer. Identifies resources available for American Indians from each New Mexico department and activities and funding for the fiscal year 2024, covering community health workers, cancer, diabetes, suicide prevention, and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: New Mexico Department of Health
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Community-Level Factors and their Associations with Changing Opioid Overdose Fatality Rates in Kentucky, 2019–2021
Identifies associations between community-level factors and opioid overdose fatality rates in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky counties, and examines how these associations have changed from 2019 to 2021. Discusses societal changes that occurred due to COVID-19, including social isolation, and which may be linked to an increase in overdose deaths. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan, adjacent-to-metropolitan, and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Shawn R. Nigam, Philip M. Westgate, Svetla Slavova, Rachel Vickers-Smith, Katherine L. Thompson
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(1), 90-115
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults — Alaska, 2016-2023
Reports on newly reported confirmed chronic hepatitis C diagnoses data among Alaskan adults between 2016 and 2023. Notes diagnosis rate disparities for American Indian and Alaska Natives and rural residents, among others. Discusses the potential impact of increased screening on the data. Offers recommendations related to screening, treatment, reporting, and more.
Author(s): Heather M. Scobie, Ian Blake, Eyasu Teshale, et al.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Division of Public Health
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Spatial Accessibility and Uptake of Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccinations by Social Vulnerability
Examines pediatric uptake of COVID-19 vaccines by vaccination site, travel time to nearest site, and county-level social vulnerability. Utilizes 2022 U.S. Vaccine Tracking System data to analyze 15,233,956 vaccine doses administered across 27,526 sites, with breakdowns according to sociodemographics, including rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Rohan Khazanchi, Benjamin Rader, Jonathan Cantor, et al.
Citation: Pediatrics
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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The Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions Was on the Rise Before the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Pandemic Had a Negative Effect on Mental Health
Data spotlight on mental illness, depression, and suicide among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzes disparities and discusses barriers to care related to a variety of sociodemographic factors including geography. See Figures 3, 7, and 8 for data on health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), mental health-related emergency department visits, and suicide deaths by level of rurality.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Qualitative Insights into Mental Health Treatment Through Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Natural Experiment in Community Mental Health Centers
Examines telemedicine for mental healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic for criminal justice-involved individuals. Analyzes qualitative interview feedback with 61 community mental health center service providers in Indiana, focusing on benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine service delivery. Includes discussion regarding the impact of telemedicine for mental health treatment in rural populations.
Author(s): Brittany J. Hood
Citation: Health & Justice, 12, 32
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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