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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

Rural Populations Facilitated Early SARS-CoV-2 Evolution and Transmission in Missouri, USA
Examines the role of rural communities in the the early COVID-19 pandemic period. Analyzes data from 544 urban and 435 rural COVID-19 specimens in Southwest Missouri between July and December 2020 to understand transmission and evolution of the virus. Discusses the importance of public health surveillance and mitigation efforts in rural areas.
Author(s): Cynthia Y. Tang, Tao Li, Tricia A. Haynes, et al.
Citation: npj Viruses, 1(7)
Date: 12/2023
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Safe Driving in Tribal Communities: What can Tribal Governments and Health Professionals Do?
Fact sheet on strategies and policies tribal governments and health professionals can adopt to reduce motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths in tribal communities. Discusses seat belts, teen drivers, car seats, alcohol-impaired driving, and more.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Reaching Rural Communities with HPV Vaccination Messages on a Budget
Discusses the St. Lawrence Health Initiative's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination education efforts in predominantly rural counties of northern New York. Identifies opportunities for affordable vaccination messaging in nonclinical settings such as community outreach events and schools.
Author(s): Angelina Blank
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
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Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Spanish-Speaking Pregnant People
Interviewed 30 rural Spanish speaking women who were pregnant or recently postpartum to determine social media advertisement factors that influenced COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Offers recommendations for public health messaging campaigns based on findings.
Author(s): Magali Sanchez, Iveliz Martel, Elizabeth Cox, et al.
Citation: Vaccines (Basel), 11(11), 1726
Date: 11/2023
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CDC Office of Rural Health At-a-Glance
An information sheet that describes the role of rural public health, rural health disparities, and strategies the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Rural Health is developing to address inequities in rural health.
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: CDC Office of Rural Health
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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
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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. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Diane Hall, Eva Cruz, Fern Christian
Date: 11/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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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
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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
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, 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
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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