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The Rural Monitor
Articles by Topic: Infectious diseases

It's Possible: Voluntary Accreditation for Rural Public Health Departments

December 18, 2019
With national standards now available for voluntary accreditation, rural public health departments need to determine the feasibility of that activity for their organization. The Public Health Accreditation Board President and CEO joins researchers and experts to share information about accreditation and how rural health departments can achieve that designation.

Responding to the HIV Crisis in Scott County, Indiana: Q&A with Dr. William Cooke

November 28, 2018
Scott County, Indiana, has been in the national spotlight since experiencing the largest HIV outbreak in rural America's recent history. The town's only physician at the time, Dr. William Cooke, took action to bring healing and hope to his community of Austin and the surrounding county. In this Q&A, he shares the motivation behind his compassionate approach to care.

Strategies for Superbugs: Antibiotic Stewardship for Rural Hospitals

March 22, 2017
Resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," are a cause of major medical illness and death. Government and accreditation agencies, as well as infectious disease experts, believe hospital antibiotic stewardship programs are the answer to blunting the impact and development of these germs. Despite limited resources, rural and Critical Access Hospitals are activating their stewardship programs.