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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Regional Resilience: Research and Policy Brief
Summarizes research on disaster resiliency. Provides a framework for assessing current policy and practice as it relates to regional resilience. Includes rural areas.
Author(s): Brian Dabson, Colleen M. Heflin, Kathleen K. Miller
Date: 02/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Development of the Rural Active Living Perceived Environmental Support Scale (RALPESS)
Describes the development of the Rural Active Living Perceived Environmental Support Scale (RALPESS) survey instrument to measure perceptions of rural environments for physical activity. Includes definitions, characteristics, and items on each of the seven RALPESS factors: church facilities, town center connectivity, indoor areas, around your home/neighborhood, town center physical activity resources, school grounds, and outdoor areas.
Author(s): M. ReneƩ Umstattd, Stephanie L. Baller, Erin Hennessy, et al.
Citation: Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 9(5), 724-730
Date: 2012
Type: Document
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Water Fluoridation and Dental Health Indicators in Rural and Urban Areas of the United States
Investigates the availability of fluoridated water across urban-rural settings, and relates measures of fluoride availability to national survey measures of dental health in adults and children.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Michael Hendryx, Constance Weiner, Matthew Gurka
Date: 11/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Rural Health Research Center
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Private Well Testing in Oregon from Real Estate Transactions: An Innovative Approach Toward a State-Based Surveillance System
Examines health problems caused by well water contaminants and reports increased risks in rural areas due to agricultural fertilizer use, feedlot operations, leaking septic systems, and aboveground application of wastewater. Compares Oregon's and New Jersey's laws concerning well testing and includes Oregon maps showing locations of private wells with high and moderate nitrate levels and evidence of coliform bacteria.
Author(s): Brenda O. Hoppe, Anna K. Harding, Jennifer Staab, Marina Counter
Citation: Public Health Reports, 126(1)
Date: 01/2011
Type: Document
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Upstream Ecological Risks for Overweight and Obesity Among African American Youth in a Rural Town in the Deep South, 2007
Data from interviews with adult African American community members who interact with youth in varying contexts in a small southeastern Georgia town. Presents their perception that factors including the built environment, laws and policies, and issues such as race and class contribute to the prevalence and perpetuation of obesity.
Author(s): Alison J. Scott, Rebecca F. Wilson
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(1)
Date: 01/2011
Type: Document
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White House Rural Council: Feedback from Rural America
Provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities rural Americans voiced during the White House Rural Council's visits to rural communities during the Obama administration.
Date: 2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: White House Rural Council (Obama Administration)
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Critical Access Hospital Replacement Process: The Manual
Describes the facility replacement process, including the phases, actions, and involved parties that are needed. Offers guidance on the facility replacement process, including assessing the Critical Access Hospital's physical and financial situation, gaining community support, identifying and obtaining financing, working with lenders and Federal enhancement programs, and completing the design and construction process.
Date: 10/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Critical Access Hospital Replacement Process: The Roadmap
Provides a visual overview of the entire facility replacement process. Divided into four phases including Planning, Design and Financing, Endorsement, and Construction. Each phase is further described by events, actions, duration, costs/fees, and involved parties.
Date: 10/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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A Rural Perspective/Commentary Regarding "Transforming the Health Care Delivery System: Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Health Care Costs"
Outlines the potential impacts of proposed policy reform options from the Senate Finance Committee on rural America. Covers payment reform, long-term payment reforms, healthcare infrastructure investments, Medicare Advantage, and public program integrity.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Andrew F. Coburn, A. Clinton MacKinney, Timothy D. McBride, Rebecca T. Slifkin
Date: 05/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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The Capital Investment Needs of CAHs: Fire and Life Safety Code Compliance and Organizational Performance
Describes current Critical Access Hospital (CAH) capital investment needs and their experiences obtaining the capital funding critical for remaining compliant with fire and life safety codes and essential for maintaining effective and efficient operations.
Author(s): Walter Gregg
Date: 11/2008
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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