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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Tribal communities

Respecting Tribal Voices in the Development of a Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction Preconception Counseling Program for American Indian/Alaska Native Adolescent Females: A Qualitative Study
Investigates the relationship among obesity, pregnancy, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the impact on American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) adolescents. Provides feedback from AI/AN girls at-risk for GDM and their mothers regarding culturally relevant preconception counseling interventions.
Author(s): Kelly R. Moore, Sarah A. Stotz, Martha Ann Terry, et al.
Citation: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23, 552
Date: 08/2023
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Strategies to Improve Communication and Messaging in Rural Populations: Guidance for Supporting Vaccination
Discusses strategies and resources to promote effective communication about the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines in rural, tribal, and frontier communities. Details topics including effective communication, cultural diversity, cooperation and partnerships, rural barriers to access, and more.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: CDC Foundation
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Rural Partners Network - U.S. Treasury Programs Relevant to the U.S. Agriculture Rural Development
Webinar recording from the Rural Partners Network with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Treasury to highlight programs for rural and tribal communities from the Treasury. Discusses funding related to housing, broadband, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and more. Transcript is available in the video description.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: U.S. Department of Treasury, USDA Rural Development
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Rural-Urban Disparities in Video Telehealth Use During Rapid Mental Health Care Virtualization Among American Indian/Alaska Native Veterans
Compares the use of video telehealth for mental healthcare between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and non–AI/AN veterans by urban and rural residence from October 2019 through December 2020. Provides an overview of health disparities among AI/AN veterans. Presents monthly data on the number and percent of mental health encounters by type, rurality, and AI/AN status.
Author(s): Isabelle S. Kusters, Amber B. Amspoker, Kristen Frosio, et al.
Citation: JAMA Psychiatry
Date: 07/2023
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Tackling the Maternal and Infant Health Crisis: A Governor's Playbook
Provides an overview of maternal morbidity and mortality trends, including racial and geographic disparities, as well as the underlying causes of poor maternal health in the United States. Outlines 32 recommendations across five priority areas that can be implemented in coordination with critical stakeholders, such as industry and community leaders, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and people with lived experience. Priority 3 covers recommendations related to disparities affecting Black and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Afton Bloom, Boldly Go Philanthropy, National Governors Association
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The Frontier of Harm Reduction: Expanding Services for Rural People Who Use Drugs
Describes how harm reduction approaches help reduce health risks related to substance use and explains how these approaches are being adapted in rural areas. Highlights innovative harm reduction strategies being used in rural communities in Alaska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Indian Health Service Program Evaluation Services: Community Opioid Intervention Pilot Projects FY 2021-2022 Report
Report evaluates the Indian Health Service's Community Opioid Intervention Pilot Project aimed at addressing opioid use disorder in tribal communities. Collects and evaluates data from grantees after the program's first year, April 1, 2021-March 31, 2022. Explores grantees' progress in building organizational capacity, community and educational events, and professional trainings, among other measures.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Indian Health Service
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Although IHS Allocated COVID-19 Testing Funds to Meet Community Needs, It Did Not Ensure That the Funds Were Always Used in Accordance with Federal Requirements
Presents results of an audit of Indian Health Service (IHS) funds for COVID-19 testing. Examines if 10 IHS Direct, Tribal, and Urban Indian Organizations (UIO) in the Great Plains Area Office allocated COVID-19 testing funds to meet community needs, the effectiveness of the funding allocation, and if the funding was used in accordance with federal requirements. Outlines recommendations to IHS, as well as IHS comments and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General's response.
Additional links: Report in Brief
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Targeted Provider Relief Funds Allocated to Hospitals Had Some Differences with Respect to the Ethnicity and Race of Populations Served
Examines how early Provider Relief Fund Targeted Distributions (Targeted PRF) in 2020 correlated with the racial, ethnic, and economic characteristics of the communities providers serve. Analyzes the Targeted PRF allocations to hospitals and explores if there are statistically significant correlations between PRF per person and the racial, ethnic, and economic composition of the census tracts. Covers four Targeted PRF allocations to COVID-19 High Impact Area Hospitals, Safety Net Hospitals, Rural Hospitals, and Indian Health Service and Tribal Hospitals. Identifies and describes trends in the allotment to rural hospitals.
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Use of Data on Adverse Events
Examines how the Indian Health Service (IHS) uses its electronic health record system to monitor healthcare quality and adverse events at federally-operated facilities. Discusses how IHS informs clinicians and patients about options for telehealth use. Offers recommendations to IHS regarding regularly reviewing adverse event trends, making improvements, and disseminating best practices.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2023
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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