The Role of Public Health in COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts From a Rural Health Perspective

The Role of Public Health in COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts From a Rural Health Perspective

COMMENTARY — Volume 17 — July 23, 2020

This article is part of the US Public Health Response to COVID-19 and Chronic Disease special supplement.

Sandra C. Melvin, DrPH, MPH1; Corey Wiggins, PhD, MSPH2; Nakeitra Burse, DrPH, MS3; Erica Thompson, MD, MPH4; Mauda Monger, PhD, MPH5 (View author affiliations)

Suggested citation for this article: Melvin SC, Wiggins C, Burse N, Thompson E, Monger M. The Role of Public Health in COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts From a Rural Health Perspective. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200256. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.200256external icon.

PEER REVIEWED

On This Page

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Challenges for Rural Communities
• COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index
• Special Concerns for Rural Communities
• Implications for Public Health
• Author Information
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Tables

Summary

What is already known on this topic?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious global pandemic. Rural minority communities are particularly at risk because of a weakened health care infrastructure, health care provider shortages, and lower socioeconomic status.

What is added by this report?

This report describes challenges faced by rural communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides recommendations to address those challenges.

What are the implications for public health practice?

The COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index is a tool that can help identify communities most at risk for COVID-19 based on indicators such as socioeconomic status and health care system factors.

Abstract

As the country responds to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of public health in ensuring the delivery of equitable health care in rural communities has not been fully appreciated. The impact of such crises is exacerbated in rural racial/ethnic minority communities. Various elements contribute to the problems identified in rural areas, including a declining population; economic stagnation; shortages of physicians and other health care providers; a disproportionate number of older, poor, and underinsured residents; and high rates of chronic illness. This commentary describes the challenges faced by rural communities in addressing COVID-19, with a focus on the issues faced by southeastern US states. The commentary will also address how the COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index may be used as a tool to identify communities at heightened risk for COVID-19 on the basis of 6 clearly defined indicators.