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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Public health

COVID-19: Urgent Federal Actions to Accelerate America's Response
Presents six short-term recommendations for the Biden administration and Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the need for policies and strategies to prevent or mitigate health disparities, including in rural and tribal areas.
Additional links: Webinar Recording
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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1,232 Doses of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Distributed at Coliseum in Dalhart, Texas
Reports on a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in rural Texas that distributing vaccines to residents in a tri-county area, while helping participants to promote the event on social media.
Author(s): Joyce Bezner
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Poll Finds Rural Residents More Hesitant to Get Vaccinated
Results of a poll conducted from November 30 - Dec 8, 2020, in which approximately 1,700 respondents were asked if they would get a COVID-19 vaccination if it were determined to be safe, effective, and available at no cost. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, suburban, or rural location.
Author(s): Tim Marema
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 3(1), 61-65
Date: 01/2021
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Lessons Learned from the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands COVID-19 Response
Blog post describing the ways in which public health officials used collaboration, communication, and partnership in their response to COVID-19 in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Includes information about other health-related challenges faced by these islands.
Author(s): Karl Ensign
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Ensuring Contact: Calling Rural Appalachian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Epidemic
Presents a study on the well-being and healthcare needs of socially isolated adults 75 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural West Virginia. Bases conclusions on telephone interviews with seniors from April 1-22, 2020. Breaks down data by demographic characteristics, mental and physical health conditions, and comfort with different forms of communication technology, among other factors.
Author(s): Robert B Walker, Michael Grome, William Rollyson, Adam D Baus
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 21(1), 6122
Date: 01/2021
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Community Health Center Addresses Vaccine Hesitancy through Social Media
Shares examples of graphics and videos developed by Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center to answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage patients to get vaccinated.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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COVID-19 Cases and Transmission in 17 K–12 Schools — Wood County, Wisconsin, August 31–November 29, 2020
Examines COVID-19 cases, spread, and compliance with mask use among students and staff participating in in-person learning in 17 rural Wisconsin K–12 schools. Discusses school infection mitigation measures. Reports on community and school-associated COVID-19 cases and in-school transmission.
Author(s): Amy Falk, Alison Benda, Peter Falk, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(4), 136-140
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Pennsylvania Municipal Officials' Views on COVID-19 Vaccine and Pennsylvania's Response to the Pandemic
Results of an email survey of 1,009 elected officials, to gather information about their attitudes toward vaccines and the Pennsylvania state government's response to COVID-19. Features statistics on the percentages of officials likely to get vaccinated, who felt the state's response had been effective, and who had recently attended municipal meetings in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats, with breakdowns by rural or urban location.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation: Taking a Leadership Role and Building Trust
An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the region.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Report details the a comprehensive national strategy for suicide prevention for individuals, families, and communities. Outlines 6 plans of actions to address suicide across the country, such as a broad-based public health response, crisis care and care transitions, and evidence-base care, among other factors.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
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