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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

COVID-19 Cases and Vaccination Rates
Data brief examining the relationship between vaccination rates, COVID-19 one-week incidence, and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location, using data on confirmed COVID-19 cases from August 29, 2021 – September 4, 2021 and vaccination data as of August 15, 2021. Features statistics on total case rates and vaccination percentages, with breakdowns by census regions, select states, and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Veteran Suicide Prevention: Innovative Research and Expanded Public Health Efforts
Presents a full committee hearing discussing expanded public health efforts to address veteran suicide by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Features testimonies by representatives of the Veterans Health Administration, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Wounded Warrior Project, the National Indian Health Board, and the Rand Corporation.
Additional links: Bill Smith Testimony, Jennifer Silva Testimony, Kaitlynne Hetrick Testimony, Kameron Matthews Testimony, Rajeev Ramchand Testimony, Tammy Barlet Testimony
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
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Hyperlocal Covid-19 Testing and Vaccination Strategies to Reach Communities with Low Vaccine Uptake
Describes promising state and local strategies to promote equitable and accessible COVID-19 testing and vaccination programs among communities with low vaccination rates. Presents examples of how states and communities use existing infrastructure and modify strategies to meet community needs. Includes rural examples and highlights rural-focused strategies for vaccinations.
Author(s): Andrea Thoumi, Kamaria Kaalund, Christina Silcox, et al.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy
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Trajectory of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Over Time and Association of Initial Vaccine Hesitancy With Subsequent Vaccination
Assesses the association between baseline vaccine hesitancy and vaccine receipt at study follow-up, using data from 3,439 participants surveyed between August-December 2020 and again between March-April 2021. Also explores the validity of vaccine self-report. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan or nonmetropolitan location.
Author(s): Aaron J. Siegler, Nicole Luisi, Eric W. Hall, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(9)
Date: 09/2021
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Risk Factors Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Farmworkers in Monterey County, California
Results of a study of 1,107 Salinas Valley, California farmworkers, to examine risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Features statistics including demographics and household and community risk factors.
Author(s): Ana M. Mora, Joseph A. Lewnard, Katherine Kogut, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(9)
Date: 09/2021
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Challenges to Public Health Reporting Experienced by Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals, 2019
Data brief examining public health reporting among acute care hospitals, including rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Outlines challenges with the exchange of electronic health information, such as lack of capacity to exchange electronically, interface issues, and differing vocabulary standards. Compares challenges faced by hospitals by size, CAH status, rural/urban, and independent/system affiliated and offers state-level maps of percent of hospitals reporting specific challenges.
Author(s): Chelsea Richwine, Carmelita Marshall, Christian Johnson, Vaishali Patel
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — United States, 2020
Reports on vaccination coverage among U.S. adolescents ages 13 through 17. Includes data on vaccination coverage by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan residence and poverty status. Includes nonmetro data related to the following vaccines: Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate), HPV (human papillomavirus), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and varicella.
Author(s): Cassandra Pingali, David Yankey, Laurie D. Elam-Evans, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(35), 1183-1190
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Overview of Barriers and Facilitators in COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach
Provides an overview of lessons learned from infectious disease outbreaks about barriers to vaccine uptake. Describes examples of promising and innovative COVID-19 vaccination outreach strategies, including strategies to build vaccine confidence in rural communities. Identifies best practices that could be used to inform outreach in areas with low vaccination rates. Highlights online tools and resources to assist with the design of vaccine outreach programs.
Author(s): Aldren Gonzales, Euny C. Lee, Violanda Grigorescu, et al.
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income Households and Communities in North Carolina
Discusses impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on efforts to combat poverty and promote self-sufficiency in low-income communities across North Carolina. Presents excerpts from interviews with community leaders, and identifies takeaways related to the pandemic's impact on individuals, organizational strategies, partnerships and collaboration, and public health. Highlights rural communities and Black North Carolinians throughout, and covers topics including vaccination, internet access, mental health, and more. Provides recommendations for community action agencies.
Author(s): James H. Johnson Jr., Jeanne Milliken Bonds, Allan M. Parnell
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organizations: North Carolina Community Action Association, Urban Investment Strategies Center
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Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program
Recording of an August 31, 2021, webinar providing an overview of the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Program. Includes information on how to enroll in the program and the technical assistance available to participating providers.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 08/2021
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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