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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Impact of Providing In-Home Water Service on the Rates of Infectious Diseases: Results from Four Communities in Western Alaska
Examines how rural Alaskans' health is affected by limited access to in-home piped water. Reviews the electronic health records of 1,032 rural Alaskans to determine how transitioning communities to in-home piped water impacts rates of respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal infections.
Author(s): T.K. Thomas, T. Ritter, D. Bruden, et al.
Citation: Journal of Water and Health, 14(1), 132-141
Date: 02/2016
Type: Document
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Associations Between Self-Reported Gastrointestinal Illness and Water System Characteristics in Community Water Supplies in Rural Alabama: A Cross-sectional Study
Examines the associations between self-reported gastrointestinal illnesses and household-level water supply characteristics in rural Alabama.
Author(s): Christine E. Stauber, Jessica C. Wedgworth, Pauline Johnson, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 11(1)
Date: 2016
Type: Document
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U.S.-Mexico Border Needs Assessment and Support Project: Phase II Assessment Report
Describes water and wastewater conditions in the colonias on the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border. Provides county-by-county information on specific challenges in the colonias. Includes recommendations to address the remaining need.
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Rural Food and Physical Activity Assessment Using an Electronic Tablet-Based Application, New York, 2013-2014
Evaluates the effectiveness of a community assessment tool focused on the built environment and used to capture images such as sidewalks, walkable destinations, restaurants, and food stores, in an effort to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and active living. Includes resident perspectives on community features and opportunities for improvement.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Seguin, Emily H. Morgan, Leah M. Connor, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
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A Participatory Regional Partnership Approach to Promote Nutrition and Physical Activity Through Environmental and Policy Change in Rural Missouri
A case study of Healthier Missouri Communities (Healthier MO), a community-based research project in 12 counties in rural southeast Missouri. Describes a group process to identify and select promising evidence-based interventions to promote nutrition and physical activity.
Author(s): Ellen K. Barnidge, Elizabeth A. Baker, Amy Estlund, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 06/2015
Type: Document
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Kick the Bucket: The Future of Rural Sanitation in Alaska
Discusses the challenges rural Alaskan communities face related to installing and maintaining water and sewage treatment facilities, particularly as climate change impacts the region's infrastructure. Discusses the health impacts of a lack of running water and flush toilets. A series reporting on water and sewage treatment in rural Alaska.
Additional links: Experts Seek Alternatives To Costly, Ineffective Sanitation Systems, Health Implications of Third World Conditions in Alaska, Lack of Funding Hampers Development of Modern Sanitation in Rural Alaska, Rural Sanitation Series: Innovating Beyond the Honey Bucket
Date: 05/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Public Media
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Healthy Vinton: A Health Impact Assessment Focused on Water and Sanitation in a Small Rural Town on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Reports on the findings of a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) regarding water quality, sanitation infrastructure, and the health of residents in a predominantly Hispanic rural community along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Author(s): William L. Hargrove, Patricia M. Juárez-Carillo, Marcelo Korc
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(4), 3864–3888
Date: 04/2015
Type: Document
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Rural Water Infrastructure: Federal Agencies Provide Funding but Could Increase Coordination to Help Communities
Discusses the issues impacting rural water and wastewater systems, including the need to upgrade aging and obsolete infrastructure. Identifies federal agencies that provide funding and technical assistance to rural communities related to drinking water and wastewater.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Development of a Nationally Representative Built Environment Measure of Access to Exercise Opportunities
Describes the development of a county-level measure of residents' access to physical exercise opportunities, based on proximity to parks and recreational facilities. This measure is used in County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Includes a national map showing county-level access to adequate exercise options.
Author(s): Anne M. Roubal, Amanda Jovaag, Hyojun Park, Keith P. Gennuso
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 01/2015
Type: Document
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Ground Water Contamination - Getting Up to Speed
An overview of natural and man-made sources of ground water contamination. Discusses the health effects of contamination, as well as federal regulations related to water quality.
Date: 2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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