Federal Universal Service Fund and Other Selected Federal Broadband Programs: A Primer
Provides an overview of federal programs designed to accelerate broadband deployment and adoption in minority communities, rural and tribal areas, and among eligible households.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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COVID-19 Response Practices in Transit
Provides descriptions and examples of practices implemented by rural, tribal, and urban transit agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes discussion on practices for protecting passengers and workers; cleaning, disinfecting, and ventilating vehicles and infrastructure; operational considerations; passenger communications; and technology and innovation.
Date: 01/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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Perceived Importance of Physical Activity and Walkable Neighborhoods Among US Adults, 2017
Uses nationally representative data to assess adults' self-reported importance of getting regular physical activity and residing in walkable neighborhoods. Includes data breakdowns by sex, age, race/ethnicity, Census region, nonmetropolitan/metropolitan status, and more.
Author(s): Susan Carlson, Emily Ussery, Kathleen Watson, Kelly Cornett, Janet Fulton
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Water Safety in California Public Schools Following Implementation of School Drinking Water Policies
Study examining results from a California testing program created to detect lead in charter and public school drinking water. Analyzes factors associated with access to safe drinking water, including differences between rural and urban schools. Features data and statistics indicating whether school water systems were compliant with health standards and whether school drinking water was tested for lead.
Author(s): Isioma Umunna, Lauren Blacker, Christina Hecht, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
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Ensuring an Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines in Rural Communities
Policy brief addressing rural access to COVID-19 vaccines. Discusses the vaccine infrastructure, distribution, transportation, and storage needed to reach rural residents. Provides guidance for national, state, and local leaders.
Author(s): John Gale, Alana Knudson, Michael Meit, Shena Popat
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Tribal Transportation Program Delivery Guide:
A procedural guide for tribal communities entering into an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Outlines the roles and responsibilities of tribes and the FHWA in the implementation of a Tribal Transportation Program Agreement (TTPA) to improve tribal road infrastructure.
Date: 12/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation
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Synergistic Disparities and Public Health Mitigation of COVID-19 in the Rural United States
Describes how public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize racial, economic, and geographic disparities, especially among rural and poor populations. Covers public health mitigation measures, including disease surveillance, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and public health communication. Discusses the ethical demands of public health practice during and following a public health emergency.
Author(s): Kata Chillag, Lisa Lee
Citation: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 17(4), 649-656
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Puerto Rico Electricity: FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance Resilience
Report evaluates the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the damage to Puerto Rico's infrastructure in the three years since hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria hit the island. Bases evaluation on the agencies' response to previous recommendations made by GAO. Discusses the current state of Puerto Rico's electrical grid across the island, including in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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A Century Later: Rural Public Health's Enduring Challenges and Opportunities
Discusses rural health disparities that have persisted over the past century, with information on infectious disease, access to healthcare, maternal and child health, and racial health disparities in the United States. Discusses public health challenges and solutions for rural communities.
Author(s): Erika Ziller, Carly Milkowski
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, e1-e9
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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Leveraging the Built Environment for Health Equity: Promising Interventions for Small and Medium-Size Cities
Examines changes small and medium-size cities can make to the built environment to promote health. Identifies promising practices related to developing interventions and overcoming implementation challenges. Includes discussion of the needs of small rural cities.
Author(s): Martha Fedorowicz, Joe Schilling, Emily Bramhall, et al.
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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