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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for the Veterans Health Administration
Guidance on the VA's vaccination program, which provides vaccinations for veterans and VA staff. Covers storage and handling, safety monitoring, reporting, education, and communication. Addresses risk stratification approaches to identify those at highest risk, including rural and minority veterans. Appendix P provides detailed information on planned outreach to rural veterans.
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Evaluation of Solar-Powered Battery Systems for Individuals Using Electricity-Dependent Medical Devices in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria
Examines the effectiveness of using solar-powered battery systems in the event of a power outage for persons dependent on electrical medical devices. Rooftop solar-powered panels were distributed to rural residents of Puerto Rico who needed battery back-up for their device during power disruptions. Interviews were conducted to determine acceptance and use. Study concluded the use of solar-powered battery systems for medical devices could be an important factor in public health emergency management and reduce mortality during disasters.
Author(s): Gabriella A Tosado, Marvi Matos, Mareldi Ahumada-Paras, Michael K Chapko, Lilo D Pozzo
Citation: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 1-4
Date: 06/2021
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Enrolling a Rural Community Pharmacy as a Vaccines for Children Provider to Increase HPV Vaccination: A Feasibility Study
Examines how the enrollment of a rural community pharmacy in Alabama in the Vaccines for Children program impacted the promotion and provision of HPV vaccines and other vaccinations to adolescents.
Author(s): Casey L. Daniel, Frances Lawson, Macy Vickers, et al.
Date: 06/2021
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2020 Annual (January–December) Infectious Disease Report
Highlights the number of cases of infectious diseases occurrence in different regions of Alaska in 2020. Looks at diseases such as Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and Lyme disease, among many others.
Citation: State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, 10
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Department of Health, Alaska Division of Public Health
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Multilevel Modeling of County-level Excessive Alcohol Use, Rurality, and COVID-19 Case Fatality Rates in the US
Presents a study on the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and elevated alcohol use in rural counties. Looks at levels of alcohol use and misuse in rural counties prior to the pandemic and compares it with COVID-19 mortality data. Breaks down data by rurality and alcohol use while controlling for other comorbidities such as obesity, smoking, and being over the age of 65.
Author(s): George Pro, Paul A. Gilbert, Julie A. Baldwin, et al.
Citation: PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0253466
Date: 06/2021
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COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Adults — United States, December 14, 2020–May 22, 2021
Reports on COVID-19 vaccinations administered from December 14, 2020–May 22, 2021, by age, sex, and community-level characteristics. Includes vaccine coverage data by age group (18-29, 30-49, 50-64, 65+) for metropolitan, micropolitan, and noncore areas.
Author(s): Jill Diesel, Natalie Sterrett, Sharoda Dasgupta, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(25), 922-927
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Intent Among Adults Aged 18–39 Years — United States, March–May 2021
Reports on COVID-19 vaccination status and intent to get vaccinated among adults 18-39 years of age. Includes data by metropolitan or nonmetro residence.
Author(s): Brittney N. Baack, Neetu Abad, David Yankey, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(25), 928-933
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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National RTAP/FTA Webinar: Rural Transportation Planning and the COVID-19 Response
Webinar recording discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected rural and tribal transit, their communities, and the providers responding to the pandemic. Features speakers from the Federal Transit Administration, the National Rural Transit Assistance Program, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Crawford Area Transit Authority, and Nevada County Transit Services.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2021
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and offers recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Chapter 5 presents an interim report on Medicare beneficiaries' access to care in rural areas. Also includes chapters on Medicare Advantage benchmark policy, alternative payment models, private equity and Medicare, the skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program, indirect medical education payments, Medicare coverage of vaccines, separately payable drugs in the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, clinical laboratory fee schedule payment rates, and the relationship between clinician services and other Medicare services.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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COVID-19 Vaccines: Audience Insights & Messaging Guidance for Rural Communities
Examines rural residents' perspectives and concerns about vaccines, so that business leaders can respond to employee questions and effectively share vaccine facts. Includes suggested messages and links for additional resources.
Additional links: A Checklist for Rural Employers: Making it Easier for Employees & Workers to get Vaccinated
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Health Action Alliance
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