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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Facing Disproportionate Danger, Rural Communities Take a Grassroots Approach to Road Safety
Discusses rural traffic risks. Features programs in rural communities focused on seat belt use, car seat safety, and addressing impaired and distracted driving.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Eyes on the Road: Assessing the Quality of Wisconsin's Local Roads
Provides an overview on the quality of Wisconsin local roads. Includes data on roads presented by municipality and county, with additional discussion about rural roads.
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Policy Forum
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Communities Need Safe Drinking Water: A Rural Environmental Justice Case Study
Discusses access to clean drinking water in rural, underserved communities and Native nations, and presents case studies of communities working to improve environmental health equity. Features the Environmental Justice Community Action Network (EJCAN) of North Carolina, the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) of the Native Village of Hooper Bay, Alaska, and community leaders in Ivanhoe, North Carolina.
Author(s): Rebecca Huenink
Date: 04/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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IEUBK Modeling of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Homes Served by Private Domestic Wells in Three Illinois Counties
Examines the potential for elevated blood lead levels (BLL) due to consuming water from private wells in rural areas by utilizing Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) modeling. Analyzes the water lead levels (WLLs) in 151 homes located in Illinois and discusses water safety for rural children.
Author(s): Sarah Keeley, Samuel Dorevitch, Walton Kelly, David E. Jacobs, Sarah D. Geiger
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 337
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide: An Implementation Plan for Leveraging Technology and Artificial Intelligence to Improve Health and Economic Outcomes in Rural America
Commentary providing an overview of rural health disparities and the healthcare needs of rural communities. Discusses ways technology and artificial intelligence may offer needed services. Presents models and infrastructure necessary to implement improvements.
Author(s): William B Weeks, Justin Spelhaug, James N Weinstein, Juan M Lavista Ferres
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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American Clusters: Using Machine Learning to Understand Health and Health Care Disparities in the United States
Demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of using machine learning (ML) to identify social determinants of health, healthcare access, healthcare infrastructure, and geography factors contributing to health inequalities. Discusses use of ML in policy, with different levels of geography, and in future research.
Author(s): Diane M. Bowser, Kaili Maurico, Brielle A. Ruscitti, William H. Crown
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 2(3)
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
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2024 County Health Rankings National Findings Report
Analyzes county-level health and wellness data, focusing on issues such as public investment and health equity. Includes information on access to broadband, information, civic infrastructure and services, and more. Provides U.S. map of county-level life expectancy (LE) and discusses the relationship of LE to civic health.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Ohio Health Policy Brief: Connections Between Water Quality and Health
Examines water quality in Ohio, the health impacts of polluted water, and water policy to address potential harm. Provides data on harmful algal bloom, percent of households without complete plumbing facilities by county type, per capita H2Ohio funding for lead service line replacements by county type, and counties with drinking water violations. Includes discussion about environmental health disparities in disadvantaged populations, such as Appalachian and rural.
Author(s): Lexi Chirakos, Robin Blair-Ackison, Tonni Oberly, Jacob Santiago, Anna Sheeran
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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The Future of the Universal Service Fund and Related Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF) and its four programs: the High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program, and Schools and Libraries Program. Describes legislation introduced in the 118th Congress that would impact the USF programs. Outlines considerations for Congress and five areas for possible reform.
Date: 03/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Understanding Water Affordability Across Contexts: LIHWAP Water Utility Affordability Survey Report
Assesses water affordability for both families and utilities across the U.S, discussing low income households and funding. Includes rural, urban, and tribal comparisons and the unique challenges for each community type.
Date: 02/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: ACF Office of Community Services
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