This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare.

A Guide to Working with Rural Philanthropy
Strategies for rural communities and organizations to help build and sustain partnerships with philanthropies. Includes background information on rural philanthropy and identifies actions and characteristics that may make a program successful in seeking funding from a philanthropy that wants to invest in rural health.
Date: 03/2025
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, Rural Health Information Hub
view details
An Examination of the Implementation and Effectiveness of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program in the United States
Provides a brief overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Describes the development and implementation of pods that measured broadband data in the communities over time. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. Includes factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband in rural communities.
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
Federal Assistance and Rural Hospital Closings: The Impact of the USDA Community Facilities Program
Examines how the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities (CF) Program's effects on rural hospital closures. Includes data on rural hospital closures and CF investments by region, and analyzes facility survival probability of hospitals which did or did not receive CF funding.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Anil Rupasingha, Julia Cho
Date: 01/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
An Evaluation of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program (2021–2024)
Provides an overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses
view details
Finding Your Way Through USDA Rural Health's New Resources
Webinar recording highlighting U.S. Department of Agriculture tools and resources related to rural health, accomplishments, and future plans. Discusses the USDA Rural Health Program Index Tool, the Rural Development Innovation Center, the USDA Rural Health website, and the Rural Data Gateway.
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: USDA Rural Development
view details
Network Commons: Native Self-Determination and Community Investment
Webinar on community development, investment, and multi-sector partnerships between healthcare organizations, tribal governments, and Native-led community organizations as a means to improve health, well-being, and self-determination in Native communities. Features speakers representing the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Mackinac Straits Health System, and American Indian and Alaska Natives Community-Led Housing Collaborative. See description for transcript.
Author(s): Andrea Garcia, Christine McPherson, Karen Cheeseman, Ashley Hernandez, Lanalle Smith
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: Build Healthy Places Network
view details
Policy Innovations that Strengthen Rural Capacity to Access Investment
Podcast episode discussing challenges rural areas face in attracting investment and implementing community and economic development projects, and suggests state-level policies to address these issues and promote rural quality of life. Features perspectives from rural development experts and state and federal leaders. Transcript available below recording.
Author(s): Anthony Pipa
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: The Brookings Institution
view details
Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience
Reports on the economic value of broadband infrastructure for rural areas. Provides a variety of data on broadband and economic growth in rural communities and compares rural and urban gaps in broadband access. Features a broadband development case study for Beltrami County, Minnesota, which includes discussion of broadband's value for telehealth and other aspects of healthcare delivery and availability.
Author(s): Amanda Weinstein, May Erouart, Adam Dewbury
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Center on Rural Innovation
view details
County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2025
Map showing levels of economic distress in Appalachian counties based on unemployment rates, income, and poverty levels. Includes interactive map, downloadable maps and data files, and data report.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
view details
Unlocking Potential: A Call to Action: Collaborative Strategies for Rural Health and Economic Prosperities
Reports results of discussions with economic and community development practitioners in rural and Indigenous communities on the relationship between development, racial equity, and health equity. Identifies strategies related to program implementation and evaluation, cooperation, goal setting, communication, and more.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
view details

Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 4/4/2025