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Rural Health Information Hub

Community Vitality and Rural Healthcare – Resources

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

Stronger Together: Federal Funding and Planning Strategies Designed to Promote Sustainable Economic Development in Rural America
Resource guide offering information for rural communities on planning and technical assistance, infrastructure and broadband expansion, entrepreneurship and business assistance, and workforce development and livability. Covers the purpose, eligibility, application process, and contact information for programs from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and USDA Rural Development in each of these areas.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Economic Development Administration, USDA Rural Development
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Broadband Availability Challenges
Fact sheet describing challenges to broadband availability and local efforts to provide short-term solutions. Discusses funding and strategies to expand broadband at the local and national levels.
Additional links: Exploring Digital Equity Fact Sheets
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: AARP, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Broadband Access Challenges
Fact sheet highlighting barriers to broadband access for rural and underserved communities, addressing infrastructure and affordability issues. Describes policy efforts to increase access through investments to expand broadband adoption.
Additional links: Exploring Digital Equity Fact Sheets
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: AARP, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
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Veteran Dental Care Stimulates the Economy and Improves Overall Health
Report discusses veterans' access to oral healthcare and explores the economic implications to expanding dental care to veterans. Highlights the economic impact of dental clinics on rural communities, as well as expanding oral healthcare coverage to veterans.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook: A Roadmap for Delivering Opportunity and Investments in Rural America
Information to help rural communities understand the infrastructure funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources. Identifies programs and sources of funding set aside for rural communities. Also explains key flexibilities and other benefits available to rural communities under the law.
Date: 04/2022
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: The White House
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Rural Rising: Economic Development Strategies for America's Heartland
Discusses various economic development strategies, and categorizes rural communities in 5 archetypes based on proximity to urban areas, tourism, and economic drivers. Offers examples of economic development in different types of rural communities and highlights elements of thriving rural communities, including workforce, access to broadband and healthcare, and community partnerships.
Author(s): Mike Kerlin, Neil O'Farrell, Rachel Riley, Rachel Schaff
Date: 03/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: McKinsey and Company
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Rural Quality of Life: Opportunities and Challenges for the Rural Care Economy
Recording of a March 22, 2022, hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on challenges and opportunities for the care economy in rural communities. Features testimony from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development, the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, and Southeast Health Group, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in rural La Junta, Colorado.
Additional links: Carrie Henning-Smith, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center - Testimony, Joseph Carrica, Southeast Health Group - Testimony
Date: 03/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
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Access Granted: Rural Broadband Options, Obstacles, and Solutions
Report describing the importance of broadband access for rural education, healthcare, economic development, equality, and climate impact. Discusses connectivity options and barriers to expanding broadband infrastructure, and examines consumer, community, and policy actions to reduce barriers and expand access.
Author(s): Molly Malone
Date: 01/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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Less Internet Access Available for Rural Residents in Counties with Persistent Poverty in the U.S. Deep South and Southwest
County-level map depicting internet availability and persistent poverty counties, distinguishing rural and urban counties. Chart based on USDA Economic Research Service calculations and Federal Communications Commission Form 477 Broadband Deployment data.
Date: 01/2022
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Principal Ideas: How Can We Secure Enduring Capital for Equitable Rural Prosperity?
Brief exploring funding sources and capital formation in rural communities and tribal nations, covering various forms of public and philanthropic funding. Highlights examples of rural capital building and innovative rural financial models.
Date: 12/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Aspen Institute
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 4/15/2024