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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Infrastructure

Risk Factors for Persistent Fatal Opioid-Involved Overdose Clusters in Massachusetts 2011–2021: A Spatial Statistical Analysis with Socio-Economic, Accessibility, and Prescription Factors
Examines locations with high opioid-involved overdose deaths in Massachusetts as well as factors contributing to mortality, such as social infrastructure and opioid prescribing practices. Provides state maps showing opioid overdose rates according to ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA). Includes data on social infrastructure access, opioid prescriptions, and ZCTA clusters, with breakdowns by poverty and race.
Author(s): Sumeeta Srinivasan, Jennifer Pustz, Elizabeth Marsh, Leonard D. Young, Thomas J. Stopka
Citation: BMC Public Health, 24, 1893
Date: 07/2024
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Impact of In-Home Handwashing Stations on Hand Hygiene During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Unpiped Rural Alaska Native Homes
Examines the impact of installing the Miniature Portable Alternative Sanitation System (Mini-PASS) in rural Alaskan homes that lacked piped water. Utilizes interview feedback from 71 households who used the Mini-PASS during the COVID-19 pandemic, discussing themes such as handwashing station usage, the ability to troubleshoot repairs, collaboration with tribal health organizations, and more.
Author(s): Olivia A. Harmon, Tricia S. Howe, Jacqualine D. Schaeffer, Ramot Adeboyejo, Laura P. Eichelberger
Citation: Public Health Reports, 139(1), 81S-88S
Date: 07/2024
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Fifty Years of Rural Service, Impact, and Innovation: Looking Forward to Fifty More - RCAP's Fiscal Year 2023 Impact Report
Details the accomplishments of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) in FY 2023. Highlights RCAP's programs and partnerships supporting infrastructure and community development in rural and tribal areas, including in-depth discussion of water, wastewater, and solid waste initiatives.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Community Assistance Partnership
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Loneliness and Social Isolation Are Common in Rural America. Is "Social Infrastructure" the Solution?
Discusses structural factors that contribute to social isolation in rural areas. Features programs in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska that are finding ways to build connection into rural communities.
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Road Safety Funding at the US Department of Transportation: Example Projects from 2022
Compiles a selection of projects from certain U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) discretionary and non-discretionary grant programs intended to address rural road safety. Helps prospective rural applicants understand how USDOT grants have previously been used to improve rural road safety, and showcases the importance of safety across USDOT grant programs.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Transportation
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Access in Appalachia Pilot Implementation Project
Explores transportation accessibility within Appalachia by measuring, analyzing, and visualizing Appalachian residents' access to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, and intermodal freight facilities. Mentions rural throughout, and includes a section on healthcare deserts. Features maps with shadings indicating economic status and urbanicity level of Appalachian counties.
Author(s): Saumya Jain, Eric Lind, Andrew Owen, Shirley Shiqin Liu
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
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Community Voices Volume 1: Climate Stressors Report: Perceptions and Experiences of Mountain West Climate-Health Engagement Hub Advisory Board Members
Analyzes and highlights themes from interviews with experts and community leaders investigating climate resilience and health equity in rural and urban Colorado. Includes recommendations for action related to centering equity, collaboration, infrastructure, policy, and adaptation.
Author(s): Cerise Hunt, Gabrielle Cooper, Nicholas Stoll, Kelsey Phinney
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Mountain West Climate-Health Engagement Hub
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The Future of Broadband Affordability
Presents a recording of a May 2, 2024, hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband. Describes federal approaches to increase broadband access and affordability. Discusses the state of broadband affordability programs, the impact of a potential lapse or end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and strategies to address shortfalls in broadband affordability programs.
Additional links: Blair Levin, New Street Research - Testimony, Jennifer Case Nevarez, Community Learning Network - Testimony, Kathryn de Wit, Pew Charitable Trusts - Testimony
Date: 05/2024
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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Social Infrastructure Availability and Suicide Rates Among Working-Age Adults in the United States
Examines the relationship between county-level social infrastructure (SI) and suicide rates among working-age adults. Analyzes 2016-2019 National Vital Statistics System mortality data and 2013-2015 National Neighborhood Data Archive information on community SI, providing statistical correlations as well as county-level maps. Discusses the relationship among county demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare, and SI factors in relation to mental health and well-being.
Author(s): Xue Zhang, Danielle C. Rhubart, Shannon M. Monnat
Citation: Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World, 10
Date: 04/2024
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How Americans View Infrastructure in Their Community
Examines survey data on residents' perspectives on their own neighborhood infrastructure for 15 community types as defined by the American Communities Project. Discusses infrastructure condition, funding, amount of use, access to infrastructure, and environmental hazards due to infrastructure.
Author(s): Ari Pinkus
Date: 04/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Communities Project
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