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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

2023 National Preparedness Report
Summarizes progress made and challenges that remain in building and sustaining capabilities needed to prevent and recover from threats and incidents that pose the greatest risk to the nation. Examines some of the disasters that occurred in 2022 and includes sections on risk areas, capability areas, and focus areas, including fire management, supply chain management, public health and emergency medical services, and long-term vulnerability reduction.
Date: 12/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Study Protocol: Maintaining Preventive Care During Public Health Emergencies Through Effective Coordination
Presents a qualitative study protocol that examines screening rates at VA medical centers during COVID-19 to determine strategies that provide continued care during public health emergencies. Discusses selection of sites, which will be based on rurality, COVID-19 patient caseload, and performance related to cancer and mental health screenings. Highlights the importance of care coordination teams in regard to specialty care.
Author(s): Sylvia J. Hysong, Traber Davis Giardina, Jennifer Freytag, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science Communications, 4, 150
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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The Power of Rural in Action: CDC & State Strategies for Rural Health
A recorded webinar that discusses the work of 3 rural health offices: the Center for Disease Control's Office of Rural Health, the Texas State Office of Rural Health, and the Virginia State Office of Rural Health. Focuses on how the offices implement programs, utilize collaboration and partnerships, and provide rural health resources.
Additional links: Slides
Author(s): Diane Hall, Eva Cruz, Fern Christian
Date: 11/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Early Estimates of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities And Fatality Rate by Sub-Categories Through June 2023
Presents projections of traffic fatalities and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for the first half of 2023. Breaks down data by month, age, race, and by rural versus urban roads, among other measures. Compares 2022 fatality data to 2023 rates by month for a number of indicators, including rural areas.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
Report highlights the rate of suicide among veterans and the VA's role in suicide prevention. Discusses the causes of veteran suicide, the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on suicide rates, and the steps the VA is taking for suicide prevention. Breaks down rates of suicide by gender, contact with the VHA, and rurality, among other factors.
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Healthy Eating and Active Living Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes in Rural Louisiana: A Contextual Inquiry to Inform Implementation Strategies
Analyzed public health practitioner focus group discussion data to identify factors impacting implementation of healthy eating and active living policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) changes in rural Louisiana. Discusses partnerships, funding, resources, policy, and more.
Author(s): Bailey Houghtaling, Laura Balis, Nila Pradhananga, Melissa Cater, Denise Holston
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20, 132
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
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Declines in Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel in Acute Care Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, 2017–2023
Examines influenza vaccinations among health care personnel (HCP) prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides data on facility-level influenza vaccination levels among HCP for 3 years during the prepandemic period (2017-2020) and 3 years during the pandemic (2020-2023), broken down by HCP type and rural, suburban, or urban location.
Author(s): Hoody Lymon, Lu Meng, Hannah E. Reses, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(45), 1244-1247
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Influenza and Up-to-Date COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel — National Healthcare Safety Network, United States, 2022–23 Influenza Season
Provides data on influenza and COVID-19 vaccination among health care personnel (HCP) during the 2022-2023 influenza season. Presents vaccination data of HCP in nursing homes and acute care hospitals, broken down by staff type, facility size, rural versus urban location, urbanicity, social vulnerability index, and region. Includes state-level maps of HCP vaccination percentages.
Author(s): Jeneita Bell, Lu Meng, Kira Barbre, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 72(45), 1237-1243
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Accessing Clean Water Infrastructure Assistance: Small, Rural, Disadvantaged, and Underserved Communities
Recording of a November 8, 2023, hearing exploring how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund can help address wastewater infrastructure challenges faced by small, rural, disadvantaged, and underserved communities. Features testimony from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership; Nueces River Authority; and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division.
Additional links: John Byrum, Nueces River Authority - Testimony, Olga Morales-Pate, Rural Community Assistance Partnership - Testimony, Shellie R. Chard, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality - Testimony
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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Public Health Preparedness: Building and Maintaining Infrastructure beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic
Describes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding programs that support public health infrastructure and preparedness at the state and local levels. Examines challenges identified by officials across 12 jurisdictions and 10 stakeholder groups regarding building and maintaining the public health and preparedness infrastructure. Appendix III profiles the 12 selected jurisdictions, notes the rurality of each jurisdiction, and outlines examples of projects funded by CDC awards.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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