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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Rural Rising: Economic Development Strategies for America's Heartland
Discusses various economic development strategies, and categorizes rural communities in 5 archetypes based on proximity to urban areas, tourism, and economic drivers. Offers examples of economic development in different types of rural communities and highlights elements of thriving rural communities, including workforce, access to broadband and healthcare, and community partnerships.
Author(s): Mike Kerlin, Neil O'Farrell, Rachel Riley, Rachel Schaff
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: McKinsey and Company
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Rural Imperatives in Broadband Adoption and Digital Inclusion
Report examining broadband adoption by age, race, educational attainment, and household income, and discussing strategies for rural providers to expand outreach and adoption efforts toward digital inclusion. Discusses the impact of rural demographics on broadband adoption, including a section on healthcare access and outcomes.
Author(s): Joshua Seidemann, Roxanna Barboza
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
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Midwest Rural-Urban Disparities in Use of Patient Online Services for Covid-19
Examines patient portal messaging utilization in a Midwest health system based on data from over 1 million messages generated between February 2020 and August 2020 by rural and urban users. Includes breakdown of user data along age, gender, race and ethnicity, rural versus urban, and other demographic lines. Discusses rural disparities related to virtual care, such as using portal messaging for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment versus pandemic isolation and anxiety.
Author(s): Ming Huang, Andrew Wen, Huan He, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 38(4), 908-915
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
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Providing Health Literate Virtual Health Services: Proceedings of a Workshop-in Brief
Summarizes 3 presentations and a panel discussion from a virtual public workshop held on September 23, 2021, by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Roundtable on Health Literacy, covering health-literate telehealth services. Discusses challenges and potential for health literate telehealth, access and equity, and resources available through the HRSA Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT).
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Population Health
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Patient Characteristics and Utilization of an Online Patient Portal in a Rural Academic General Internal Medicine Practice
Results of a study to identify characteristics of online patient portal users compared to non-users, and assess utilization through number of logons and portal messaging in an academic practice in rural New Hampshire. Features statistics including demographics, smoking status, incidence of chronic illness, and body mass index category.
Author(s): Stephen K. Liu, Annette E. Osborn, Sigall Bell, et al.
Citation: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(42)
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
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Public-Safety Broadband Network: Congressional Action Required to Ensure Network Continuity
Provides an overview of the implementation progress of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) public-safety broadband network, including network coverage in rural and non-rural areas as of March 2021. Reviews FirstNet's statutory requirements and contract responsibilities Congress should consider before FirstNet's authority sunsets in 2027. Explores options to oversee and manage the network when this authority sunsets, as well as the associated operational implications and potential costs.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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A New Era of Health Literacy? Expanded Definitions, Digital Influences, and Rural Inequities
Explores rural challenges to accessing health information that is clear and usable, with insights from experts. Describes recently expanded definitions of health literacy. Discusses digital health literacy and the importance of broadband access and digital health tools for rural residents.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Federal Plan for Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience for Social, Behavioral, and Community Health
Details an approach for federal agencies to cooperatively strengthen the conditions necessary to improve individual and community resilience and well-being nationwide. Designed to guide long-term investment using the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being Framework. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Telehealth Use in Rural and Remote Health Practitioner Education: An Integrative Review
A review of 60 articles that examines access and quality of telehealth education available to rural and remote health practitioners. Provides information on current virtual education models and resources and recommendations for supporting and developing virtual education for rural and remote health practitioners.
Author(s): Pauline Calleja, Susan Wilkes, Melinda Spencer, Steven Woodbridge
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 22
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
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Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health External Quality Review: FY 2021-22 Statewide Report
Reports on an external review of all 56 county Mental Health Plans (MHPs) that are contracted to provide specialty mental health services to California Medicaid beneficiaries, including breakdowns for rural areas. Discusses challenges meeting demand and recruiting and retaining healthcare providers. Highlights access to services through telehealth; timeliness of providing service and tracking timeliness; quality management; and information systems.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Health Care Services
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