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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Population health

Oversight Hearing: Business Meeting to consider S. 421, S. 789 & Oversight Hearing "Build Back Better: Water Infrastructure Needs for Native Communities"
Recording of an oversight hearing of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to discuss the Western Tribal Water Infrastructure Act of 2021 and hear testimony on its potential effect on the health and wellness of native communities. Features testimonies by representatives of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and Navajo Department of Water Resources.
Additional links: Amelia Flores Testimony, Jason John Testimony, Raymond Tsumpti Testimony, Valerie Nurr'Araaluk Davidson Testimony
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Exploring the Intersection of Rural Housing Quality and Health: Healthcare Providers and Housing Experts Provide Insight
Focuses on rural housing quality as a social determinant of health. Describes how healthcare, housing, and public health organizations can work together to address housing issues and improve population health. Features a Vermont healthcare system and several national programs working to address rural housing quality.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Behavioral Health Care in the Military Health System: Access and Quality for Remote Service Members
Explores the role geographic location plays in access to behavioral healthcare for service members through the Military Health System (MHS). Highlights the challenges of rural service members to access care for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorder through MHS. Breaks down data by age, race, sex, and remote versus non-remote location, among other measures.
Additional links: Full Report
Author(s): Kimberly A. Hepner, Ryan Andrew Brown, Carol P. Roth, et al.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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COVID-19: Sustained Federal Action Is Crucial as Pandemic Enters Its Second Year
Discusses the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides an overview of federal actions on healthcare and economic policy areas through March 10, 2021, including data on vaccine administration and COVID-19 relief spending. Offers 28 new recommendations to federal agencies regarding public health, the economy, and program integrity that would improve the federal response.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis
Documentation of a March 23, 2021, House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing on maternal health disparities. Discusses causes and possible policy options to reduce these disparities.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
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Evidence-based Health Promotion Programs among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities
Report details disparities in healthcare access for American Indian (AI), Alaska Native (AN), and Native Hawaiian (NH) communities. Discusses the role the Older American Act has played in providing services to AI/AN/NH populations and highlights the results of a survey of directors and staff of programs funded through the act on its efficacy and challenges. Explores evidence-based practices aimed at health promotion and disease prevention in AI/AN/NH communities and discusses the experience of both program directors and the elders in the community.
Additional links: Perspectives from Older Americans Act Title VI Directors and Staff on Health Promotion Programs in Indigenous Communities, Successful Strategies & Lessons Learned from Implementing Evidence-Based Programs in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities, The Voices of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders
Author(s): Collette Adamsen, Becky Bendixen, Melody Woodrich-Fernando, et al.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Council on Aging
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Hospitals Reported That the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Significantly Strained Health Care Delivery
Examines how the COVID-19 pandemic response impacted hospitals' capacity to care for patients, staff, and communities, based on a February 22-26, 2021 brief survey of hospital administrators. Includes discussion of challenges faced by rural hospitals related to hospital operations and rural access to vaccinations.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Examining Our COVID-19 Response: An Update from Federal Officials
Recording of a March 18, 2021, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on the federal response to COVID-19, including the development of public health guidance, equitable vaccine distribution, approaches to address vaccine hesitancy, and other steps necessary to end the pandemic.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
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Testimony: Medicaid and CHIP in the U.S. Territories
Presents the statement of the Executive Director of Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission in a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Health regarding the role Medicaid and CHIP play in securing healthcare access in the U.S Territories. Compares current funding through Medicaid for the Territories with the projected funding if no action is taken.
Author(s): Anne L. Schwartz
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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COVID-19 and Rural Communities: Protecting Rural Lives and Health
Report examining the impact of COVID-19 in rural America, presenting data on case rates and mortality, prevalence in rural communities, and health conditions contributing to severe cases of COVID-19. Discusses issues of socioeconomic vulnerability, healthcare access, and public health compliance. Offers actions to address disparities, including increasing access, supporting livelihoods, and considering social determinants of health in healthcare planning.
Author(s): Jesse Bradford, Erica Coe, Kana Enomoto, Matt White
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: McKinsey & Company
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