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Rural Health Information Hub

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

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Statewide Broadband Plan
Outlines goals and strategies to expand broadband access to rural and underserved areas of Pennsylvania. Describes importance of broadband in providing adequate, reliable emergency services, and enhancing tools to ensure access to healthcare services.
Date: 11/2022
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
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Aiming For 'Real and Accessible': EMS Simulations Give Rural Providers Hands-On Experience
Describes how simulation training is helping rural emergency medical services providers prepare for a variety of situations. Discusses the use of mobile simulation facilities and virtual reality, and features programs in Colorado, Maine, and Nebraska.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Bringing Community Voice into Cross-Sector Data Sharing: Supporting Aging Populations in Rural Utah
A case study that discusses a partnership between healthcare and social care entities involved with the Learning and Action in Policy and Partnerships (LAPP) initiative to implement data sharing and patient record digitization. Discusses the impact on senior care in rural Utah to improve data sharing for tribal populations.
Date: 11/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Health Care Strategies, Data Across Sectors for Health
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Geospatial Analysis of Access to Health Care and Internet Services in the US
Study examining access to healthcare and internet services based on 2015-2019 American Community Survey data. Discusses implementations of findings for telemedicine expansion and the need for improved internet access to address rural-urban health disparities.
Author(s): Emefah C. Loccoh, Amanda Nguyen, Gaeun Kim, Haider J. Warraich
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(11), e2243792
Date: 11/2022
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CMS Framework for Advancing Health Care in Rural, Tribal, and Geographically Isolated Communities
Report outlines the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plan for improving health equity and health outcomes across the U.S. for rural, tribal, and geographically isolated communities. Details a 6 priority framework emphasizing the application of a community-informed geographic lens; the collection and use of standardized data; support for healthcare professionals; the optimization of medical and communication technology; the expansion of access to comprehensive healthcare coverage, benefits, and services and supports; and innovation and value-based care. Highlights examples of activities CMS is undertaking in support of each priority and recent CMS efforts that align with each priority.
Date: 11/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Broadband: USDA Should Set Performance Goals and Improve Fraud Risk Management for Funding Program
Provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ReConnect program, which awards grants and loans to provide broadband service in rural areas. Analyzes ReConnect award and application data from 2018 through 2021 to examine the program's performance goals and alignment with selected leading fraud risk management practices. Offers recommendations to USDA on ReConnect's performance goals and fraud risk management.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Majority of Households in the Island Areas Own a Computer and Have Broadband Internet
Presents findings from the 2020 Island Area Censuses (IACs) on computer and broadband internet access in U.S. island territories. Breaks down data by island and shows changes since the 2010 Census. Discusses the 2020 IAC questionnaire and offers a variety of data comparisons.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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Rural Students' Access to the Internet
Provides percentages of students who have access to fixed broadband by city, suburban, town, and rural locale, which is further broken down by fringe, distant, or remote areas. Includes discussions of related broadband issues such as influences of poverty and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Education Statistics
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MaineHealth ACO – Integrating and Using Data to Support Care Delivery
Profiles MaineHealth ACO, a network of 11 hospitals, 353 clinical practices, 18 Rural Health Clinics, and 2 Federally Qualified Health Centers. Describes how MaineHealth ACO integrates clinical and claims data to support care delivery, target patient needs, and reduce costs.
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Hospital Capabilities to Enable Patient Electronic Access to Health Information, 2021
Data brief examining 2021 national estimates of rates of U.S. hospitals enabling patient electronic access to health information, presenting findings for small, Critical Access, rural, and independent hospitals. Analyzes data from the 2021 AHA Annual Survey Information Technology Supplement.
Author(s): Wesley Barker, Dustin Charles
Date: 10/2022
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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