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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

Alaska COVID-19 Information Hub
Presents regularly updated data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska. Features reports, FAQs, and interactive maps detailing COVID-19 data.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Department of Health
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COVID-19 in Rural America: Impact on Farms & Agricultural Workers
Fact sheet highlights the impact of COVID-19 on American farms, farmworkers, and rural areas broadly. Details information about protective equipment, housing, and unemployment benefits, among other factors.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Farmworker Health
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The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania - COVID-19 Resources
Highlights resources and information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic for Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems. Features information on testing, treatment, and supplies.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
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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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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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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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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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2021 RHC Billing and Coding Update
Recording of a March 9, 2021, webinar providing an overview of coding and billing changes relevant to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Discusses guidelines for reporting COVID-19 immunizations and monoclonal antibody infusions, telehealth coding and billing during the COVID-19 public health emergency, ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding for COVID-19, and RHC lab billing and COVID test reporting. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: AMA Code & Guideline Changes, COVID Vaccine Log, Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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An Emergent Network for the Diffusion of Innovations Among Local Health Departments at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study examining communication networks among 329 local health departments as a way to assess the impacts of communication networks on community health innovation. Analyzes data from surveys of local health department leadership, comparing responses from leaders in urban and rural areas. Discusses the sharing of information about new public health initiatives, policies, and evidence-based practices.
Author(s): Minwoong Chung, Debra Dekker, Chelsea Gridley-Smith, James W. Dearing
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 18, 200536
Date: 03/2021
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