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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infectious diseases

COVID-19 and Rural Hospital Struggles
Recording of a May 14, 2020, webinar on healthcare delivery and financial challenges facing rural hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Features leaders from health systems in Iowa, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Transcript available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show Transcript.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Healthy St. Landry Alliance Leads Coordinated Community Response During COVID-19 Pandemic
Profiles Healthy St. Landry Alliance, a consortium of 25 local partners in rural St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, and its response to COVID-19. Describes how the Alliance enacted a communications and response system to manage the regional response to the pandemic. Offers lessons learned and future goals of the collaboration.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Infection Control Deficiencies Were Widespread and Persistent in Nursing Homes Prior to COVID-19 Pandemic
Explores the prevalence of infection prevention and control deficiencies in nursing homes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Examines the percentage of nursing homes that had deficiencies cited in multiple years. Provides charts noting the number of nursing homes with an infection prevention and control deficiency by state. Includes a chart that presents the data by urban and rural status.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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HIV and American Indians and Alaska Natives
Offers data and statistics on HIV diagnoses among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Lists current challenges to HIV prevention, including cultural stigma and confidentiality concerns that could prevent AI/AN gay and bisexual men from obtaining education and HIV testing, especially in rural communities or on reservations. Presents an overview of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV prevention efforts.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Broadband Connectivity and COVID-19: The FCC's Response
Describes the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) response to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically regarding internet access and network reliability. Outlines waived regulations and extended deadlines for several programs, including the Rural Health Care program.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Delivery of VA Telehealth Services During COVID-19
Provides an overview of veterans' access to telehealth services provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses the funding opportunities through the CARES Act and the Connected Care Pilot Program that aim to assist veterans with obtaining telehealth-related infrastructure during the pandemic.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Telehealth and Patient Safety During the COVID-19 Response
Discusses the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and presents safety protocols to transition care from telehealth to in-person treatment. Looks at the ways telehealth is used as a substitute for regular visits, as well as for monitoring the virus.
Author(s): Neal Sikka, Joel Willis, Eleanor Fitall, et al.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Patient Safety Network
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COVID-19's Current Impact on Rural Healthcare Delivery: Q&A with Brock Slabach
An interview with Brock Slabach, the National Rural Health Association's Senior Vice President for Member Services. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on rural healthcare facilities, policy changes impacting rural providers, collaboration among rural communities to help share solutions, and the use of telehealth during the pandemic.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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High COVID-19 Attack Rate Among Attendees at Events at a Church — Arkansas, March 2020
Reports on the spread of COVID-19 in a rural Arkansas church in March 2020, as well as spread within the community that was linked to the church.
Author(s): Allison James, Lesli Eagle, Cassandra Phillips, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(20), 632-635
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 Presents Significant Risks for American Indian and Alaska Native People
Discusses the disproportionate risks American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides race/ethnicity breakdowns for risk of serious illness after contracting COVID-19 and uninsured rates among nonelderly individuals. Includes the percent of COVID-19 deaths and cases, as well as the percent of the total population made up by AI/AN individuals for Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and other states.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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