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

Three USDA Rural Broadband Programs: Areas and Populations Served
Evaluation of funded and unfunded grants and loans for 3 U.S. Department of Agriculture rural broadband programs between 2009 and 2021. Determines geographic and population distribution trends and characteristics of successfully funded projects.
Author(s): John Pender, Joshua Goldstein, Devika Mahoney-Nair, Hanna Charankevich
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Challenges to Care of Patients with Diabetes in Rural, Underserved Areas
Discussion of providing care to diabetes patients in rural areas. Includes information on demographics, barriers to care, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Author(s): Richard J. Santen
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Virginia School of Medicine
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Recovering from a Cybersecurity Attack and Protecting the Future in Small, Rural Health Organizations
Discusses the impact cyber-attacks can have on rural healthcare facilities. Features two Critical Access Hospital leaders describing attacks at their organizations. Shares insights from an information technology compliance expert, including actions organizations can take to protect themselves.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 10/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Environmental Scan on Encouraging Rural Participation in Population-Based TCOC Models
Presents results of an environmental scan regarding population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC) payment models and encouraging rural participation in these models. Describes challenges affecting rural patients and providers; opportunities for alternative payment models (APMs) and PB-TCOC models to address challenges in rural areas; trends in rural providers' participation in APMs; driving care delivery transformation in rural providers, including models that include or target rural participants in their model designs; leveraging financial incentives to improve rural health care; adoption and use of health information technology, including telehealth and data analytics among rural providers; and the measurement of rural providers' performance in APMs.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Mental Health Outcomes Among Patients Living in US Counties Lacking Broadband Access and Psychiatrists
Presents a study on mental health access for people who live in counties without psychiatrists and broadband coverage. Discusses the expansion of telehealth services for mental healthcare and consultation. Aims to evaluate mental health access in mostly rural counties with a workforce shortage and a lack of broadband access.
Author(s): Tarun Ramesh, Ryan K. McBain, Jonathan H. Cantor, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(9), e2333781
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
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State of Mississippi: Five Year Action Plan: Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) Program
Provides overview of the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi Office's Five-Year Action Plan, covering 2023 through 2028, for providing high-speed internet service throughout the state. Includes information on existing programs and funding, administrative structure, partnerships, data gathering, and more. Includes county level data both statewide and in the Delta Region for Mississippi.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi
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Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2023 MIPS Promoting Interoperability Performance Category Hardship Exception Application Guide
Provides guidance on how clinicians can apply for a MIPS hardship exception. Highlights guidance for having your MIPS Promoting Interoperability performance category reweighted to 0% in cases of insufficient internet connectivity, decertified electronic health record technology, or other circumstances out of the clinicians control.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Adult Obesity in Rural America: An Examination of the Relationships Between Obesity Prevalence, Sociodemographic Factors, Access to Care, and Differences Between Rural and Urban Counties
Provides an overview of obesity prevalence in rural versus urban counties. Analyzes factors related to obesity such as education, income, physical inactivity, healthcare workforce, and food, internet, and healthcare access. Includes case studies and data related to obesity prevalence in Texas and Arkansas.
Additional links: Appendix, Executive Summary
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NORC at the University of Chicago
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Rural New York: Challenges and Opportunities
Provides comparative data for the 10 rural counties in New York. Discusses issues such as transportation, aging and overall declining population, shrinking labor force, and lack of access to adequate housing, food, healthcare, and broadband.
Author(s): Thomas P. DiNapoli
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the New York State Comptroller
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Rural Health: Pathway to Progress
Presents insights and perspectives from four rural healthcare leaders. Describes strategies for overcoming workforce challenges, increasing access to specialty care, and addressing cost pressures. Requires registration to download.
Date: 09/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Reuters Events
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