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Rural Health Information Hub

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

Broadband Mapping: Challenges and Solutions
Recording of a hearing from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focusing on efforts to collect more accurate broadband coverage information. Includes testimonies from the U.S. Telecom Association, Competitive Carriers Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, and others regarding current mapping challenges and the importance of broadband access for rural communities, including for healthcare services.
Additional links: Jonathan Spalter Testimony, Mike McCormick Testimony, Mike Oblizalo Testimony, Tim Donovan Testimony
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate
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Electronic Capabilities for Patient Engagement among U.S. Non-Federal Acute Care Hospitals: 2013-2017
Describes hospital trends regarding patients' ability to view, download, and transmit (VDT) electronic health information and other capabilities related to online patient engagement. Provides data and analysis by hospital type, including Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals, on the percent of: hospitals where patients can VDT their health data electronically; active patient portals; and hospitals offering electronic capabilities to their patients, such as refill requests, bill pay, and other services.
Author(s): JaWanna Henry, Wes Barker, Lolita Kachay
Date: 04/2019
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Rural Pulse 2019: Rural/Urban Findings - March 2019
Results of a survey of 1,560 Minnesota residents, exploring their views on issues including access to healthcare, behavioral health services, public transportation, and elder care, and how well these issues are being addressed at the state and local levels. Features statistics including demographics with breakdowns by urban and rural residence, and survey responses with breakdowns by 6 Minnesota regions.
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Blandin Foundation
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Planning and Partnerships: Coordinating Rural Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Discusses how rural healthcare facilities can prepare for natural and man-made disasters, the need for flexibility, and the importance of learning from others' experiences. Includes examples of rural communities and providers responding to a tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Development Telecom Awards, 2012-17
Bar chart showing total awards and total recipients by year for USDA Rural Development telecommunications programs, with totals including the Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program, Community Connect Grant Program, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report
Highlights steps for the federal government to take to increase broadband access and increase private-sector investments in broadband. Discusses broadband and mobile broadband deployment and adoption in the U.S. and offers statistics by urban, rural, and tribal lands. Provides recommendations discussing strategies, objectives, and overcoming barriers to increase broadband in urban and rural areas and tribal lands.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Promising Practice: NC Office of Rural Health Helps Rural Providers Get Connected to HIT
Highlights the North Carolina Office of Rural Health Information Technology (ORH HIT) program. ORH HIT is working to connect behavioral health and other healthcare providers through a state health information exchange (HIE).
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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American Cancer Society and Community Health Centers Partner to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening
Describes a partnership between the American Cancer Society and a system of community health centers in New Orleans and 7 rural locations in south central Texas, for the purpose of promoting interventions to increase rates of colorectal cancer screening. Examines strategies for reaching diverse, underserved populations and increasing community demand, community access, and provider delivery of services by using electronic health records to track screenings.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: Community Preventive Services Task Force
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Rural Development 2018 Performance Report
Report highlights the performance of investments by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for 2018. Features three successful rural programs funded by USDA Rural Development. Includes a list of Rural Development State Offices.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
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The Relationship Between Rural Setting and Health: Factors that Influence Individuals With or at Risk of CVD - A Summary of the Literature
Describes current literature on rural challenges and opportunities, including cardiovascular risk due to obesity, lack of access to healthcare, workforce shortages, importance of paramedics and community health workers, telehealth and broadband, and impact of the substance use disorder epidemic. Intended to help stakeholders understand the causes of health disparities and to support action to improve the health of rural communities.
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organization: American Heart Association
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