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Introduction
Public health has been called a system of "organized community efforts aimed at the prevention of disease and promotion of health." The public health needs of rural Americans are unique and challenging. Disparities in chronic disease prevalence and related health behaviors, issues of diversity and shifting population demographics, and access and coverage for the underinsured & uninsured all become more complicated in rural areas. Rural health departments, in addressing these issues, face challenges regarding workforce recruitment, retention and training, epidemiologic investigation, information technology, and telecommunications.
The recent enhanced focus on emergency preparedness planning has only highlighted the overall struggles faced by rural health departments in gaining support to enhance the rural public health infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
2008 Profile of Local Health Departments
Web site
Information is free, but requires you to provide your name, email, and organization. Results of a survey of local health departments (LHDs) across the nation. Includes information on a wide range of LHD-related topics.
2009 H1N1 Flu
Web site
Provides general information about HINI flu including symptoms, antiviral drugs, prevention and treatment, and how to take care of a sick person.
America's Health Rankings
Web site
Provides data and recommendations related to health risk behaviors and outcomes. Includes state-by-state snapshots.
Be Med Wise
Web site
A public education initiative by the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) - a nonprofit coalition of over 125 consumer, government, patient advocacy and public health organizations. NCPIE serves as a trusted source of reliable information about the proper use of medicines, and Be MedWise seeks to promote a better understanding that over-the-counter (OTC) drug products are serious medicines and must be taken with care.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Database
Provides access to reports, surveys, and fact sheets from the BRFSS, a telephone survey that tracks health risks in the United States. Data is available by state and for the nation.
Biochemical Organic Radiological Disaster Educational Response System (BORDERS)
Web site
BORDERS, a continuing education and training program, is designed to improve the individual and collective ability of healthcare professional practitioners to prepare for and respond to acts of bioterrorism in increasingly diverse situations and populations.
CDC Influenza (Flu): Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Web site
Provides key facts, prevention information, and frequently asked questions regarding the flu.
Communicate to Make a Difference: Exploring Cross-Cultural Communication
Tutorial
Free, interactive online course on culture and communication in public health. Designed for public health professionals. The course can be completed at your own pace within a 30-day period.
Community Health Status Indicators (CHSI)
Web site
Designed to inform public health professionals and community members about state- and county-level health status indicators such as: causes of death, tobacco use, diet, physical activity, and drug and alcohol use. Available reports also include Healthy People 2010 targets and information on vulnerable populations, access to care, and much more.
Health Disparities Projects and Interventions Database
Database
Public health projects and interventions submitted by the public health community. Search by topic, keyword, race/ethnicity, age group, and state. See the category "Reducing geographic challenges" for rural-specific projects. Includes detailed project descriptions and project contacts.
Healthy People 2010 Toolkit
Web site
Provides guidance, technical tools, and resources to help states, territories, and tribes develop and promote successful state-specific Healthy People 2010 plans.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools
Web site
A comprehensive resource to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing indoor air quality problems.
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
Web site
Community-wide strategic planning tool for improving community health. Helps communities prioritize public health issues and identify resources for addressing them. Registration required.
NACCHO's Model Practices Database
Database
Lists effective and innovative public health practices, searchable by state and topic.
NACHO's 2009 Foundation Funding Guide
Web site
Identifies public health-related funding resources at the national and state levels from private foundations. Each month, highlights one area of public health.
Pandemic Flu
Web site
Information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Includes national planning and response information and state pandemic plans.
Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce
Web site
Information and resources to help the public health workforce find and use information effectively. Includes funding sources, data and statistics, career resources and more. Provided by a collaboration of U.S. government agencies, public health organizations and health sciences libraries.
Promising Practices: Pandemic Preparedness Tools
Web site
Aims to enhance public health preparedness for an influenza pandemic and conserve resources by sharing promising practices. Includes examples of models for care during a pandemic, communication tools, and mitigation tools.
Public Health Infrastructure Resource Center
Web site
Information and resources to support the public health infrastructure. Covers public health workforce, communications, bioterrorism and more.
Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program (RESEP)
Web site
Awards grants to health care providers in the 12 states most affected by the Cold War's nuclear weapons industry. Helps thousands of individuals diagnosed with cancer and other diseases caused by exposure to nuclear fallout or nuclear materials such as uranium.
Rural Health Research: Public health
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of public health, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliate Integrated Network (TRAIN)
Database
Information on learning opportunities, particularly online learning, for health care professionals who work for the public's health. Searchable by subject, keyword, target audience, core competencies, etc.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies for Rural Public Health Agencies Seeking Accreditation
Author(s): Michael Meit, Karen Harris, Jessica Bushar, Bhumika Piya, Maria Molfino
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Enhances understanding of how public health infrastructure may dictate rural health departments’ approaches to seeking accreditation.
Date: 06 / 2008
Chronic Disease Management Systems (Registries) in Rural Health Care
Author(s): Anne Skinner, Roslyn Fraser-Maginn, Keith J. Mueller
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Discusses the types of Chronic Disease Management Systems (CDMSs) used by a sample of 14 state organizations and 19 local rural clinics in Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Date: 05 / 2006
Financing Rural Public Health Activities in Prevention and Health Promotion (Final Report)
Author(s): Michael Meit, Benjamin N. Hamlin, Bhumika Piya, Lorraine Ettaro
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Discusses whether the flow of federal resources, from federal agencies, through states, and to communities, is influenced by state and local level public health infrastructure.
Date: 06 / 2008
Health, United States, 2007 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans
Author(s): Michael O. Leavitt, Julie Louise Gerberding, Edward J. Sondik
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
Presents national trends in health statistics. Each report includes an executive summary, highlights, a chartbook, trend tables, extensive appendixes,
and an index. Includes data on this year's special feature on access to health care.
Date: 11 / 2007
Improving the Management of Chronic Disease at Community Health Centers
Author(s): Bruce E. Landon, LeRoi S. Hicks, A. James O'Malley, et. al.
Details a study to improve chronic disease care for community health center (CHC) patients that resulted in "significantly improved" processes of care for asthma and diabetes.
Date: 03 / 2007
Organizing State and Local Health Departments for Public Health Preparedness
Author(s): Jeffrey Wasserman, Peter Jacobson, Nicole Lurie, Christopher Nelson, Karen Ricci, Molly Shea, James Zazzali, Martha I. Nelson
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
Examines whether state and local public health agencies relate to one another in a way that facilitates emergency response and preparedness.
Date: 2006
Public Health and Information Technology at the United States-Mexico Border: Examples Show Potential
Sponsoring organization: Office of Rural Health Policy
Examines the use of health information technology (HIT) in public health programs at the United States-Mexico border, with an emphasis on frontier and rural health. Includes examples of successful projects addressing tuberculosis, immunizations, and diabetes.
Date: 02 / 2007
Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Author(s): Jeffrey Levi, Serena Vinter, Laura M. Segal
Sponsoring organization: Trust for America's Health
Informs the public and policymakers about
the status of public health preparedness in
the United States. Provides state-by-state public health preparedness indicators and scores. Addresses rural public health issues.
Date: 12 / 2009
Rural Healthy People 2010: Rural Public Health Infrastructure
Author(s): Barbara Quiram, Michael Meit, Kay Carpender, Cara Pennel, Graciella Castillo, Delia Duchicela
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Addresses rural health issues associated
with the Healthy People 2010 focus area on public health infrastructure.
Date: 01 / 2005
Rural Healthy People 2010: Rural Public Health Infrastructure: A Literature Review
Author(s): Barbara Quiram, Michael Meit, Kay Carpender, Cara Pennel, Graciella Castillo, Delia Duchicela
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Detailed literature review of rural health issues associated with the Healthy People 2010 focus area on public health infrastructure.
Date: 01 / 2005
Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 1
Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison, Betty J. Dabney, Alicia M. Dorsey (editors)
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Brief overviews of the top rural health concerns and objectives associated with Healthy People 2010 focus areas, references to key literature about these concerns, and descriptions of models for practice that rural communities can draw upon to achieve key Healthy People 2010 objectives.
Date: 2003
Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 2
Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison, Betty J. Dabney, Alicia M. Dorsey (editors)
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Detailed literature reviews and associated references for the top rural health concerns addressed in Vol. 1 of Rural Healthy People 2010.
Date: 2003
Rural Healthy People 2010: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2010. Volume 3
Author(s): Larry D. Gamm, Linnae L. Hutchison (editors)
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Addresses several rural health concerns and objectives not covered in Volumes 1 and 2 of Rural Healthy People 2010. Includes overviews, literature reviews, and accompanying models for practice for four rural health topics.
Date: 02 / 2005
Rural Public Health Agency Accreditation (Final Report)
Author(s): Michael Meit, Karen Harris, Jessica Bushar, Bhumika Piya, Maria Molfino
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Studies the barriers and opportunities to public health agency accreditation among state and local health departments serving rural jurisdictions.
Date: 06 / 2008
Rural Public Health Financing: The Relationship Between Infrastructure and Local Program Funding
Author(s): Michael Meit, Lorraine Ettaro, Benjamin Hamlin, Bhumika Piya
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Describes how federal funds for disease prevention and health promotion activities are distributed to
local health departments (LHDs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at the rural local level.
Date: 06 / 2008
Urban to Rural Evacuation: Planning for Rural Population Surge (Final Report)
Author(s): Michael Meit, Alene Kennedy, Thomas Briggs
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Analyzes the likelihood of urban evacuation to rural areas and provides recommendations for rural planning and response.
Date: 08 / 2008
Journals
American Journal of Public Health
Monthly journal covering public health research, research methods, and program evaluation. Available by subscription online or in print.
NACCHO Exchange
Quarterly publication addressing public health topics. Available for purchase.
Rural Roads
NRHA magazine focusing on human-interest stories and successful rural programs.
Organizations
American Public Health Association (APHA)
National organization
Works to influence policies and set priorities in public health.
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
National organization
National nonprofit organization representing the state and territorial public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO's members are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice.
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)
Nonprofit/Foundation
An independent philanthropy focusing on the major health care issues facing the nation. Acts as a source of facts and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public.
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
National organization
Provides education, information, research, and technical assistance to local health departments.
National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH)
National organization
Works to strengthen local boards of health, enabling them to promote and protect the health of their communities, through education, technical assistance and advocacy.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Federal government
The United States' principal health statistics agency. Compiles statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve health. Part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI)
National organization
Works to recognize and enhance the work being done in public health by independent, nonprofit collaborative entities.
Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Federal government
Promotes better health care service in rural America. Part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Focuses on matters affecting rural hospitals and health care, coordinating activities within the department that relate to rural health care, and maintaining a national information clearinghouse.
Public Health Data Standards Consortium (PHDSC)
National organization
A non-profit membership-based organization of federal, state and local health agencies; national and local professional associations; academia, public and private sector organizations; international members, and individuals.
Public Health Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
Assists health agencies and other community health system organizations by providing objective information in areas such as health improvement planning, understanding and using data, and improving performance.
Trust for America's Health (TFAH)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Works to protect the health of every community and to make disease prevention a national priority.
Article Searches & Bibliographies
RAC Documents Search: Public Health
PubMed Search: Public Health and Rural Health Services
This PubMed Search was limited to Public Health and Rural Health Services and United States and limited to the last 5 years.
PubMed’s list of journal article citations with abstracts. Some citations have links to the full-text of articles through PubMed Central (a digital archive of life sciences journal literature), through your library’s electronic and print holdings, or through the publisher (the latter may require a subscription or a pay-per-view charge). Check with your local library for details about your full text links or call your Regional Medical Library at 800.338.7657.
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