Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Completed Projects

Listed by project completion date. You can also view these projects alphabetically.

Examining Differences in Rural and Urban Medicare FFS Beneficiaries' Emergency Department Use Pre-COVID-19 and During COVID-19
This study described and compared the differences in the utilization of emergency department (ED) services among rural and urban Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) enrollees during 2018-2021. Researchers identified factors associated with differences in ED use, including shifts in volume, primary diagnoses, and admission source, before and since the COVID-19 public health emergency in rural and urban areas.
Research center: ETSU/NORC Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma, Healthcare access, Hospitals and clinics, Medicare, Social determinants of health

Rural/Urban Variations in Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Using the National Cancer Institute Health Information National Trends Survey, we examined how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the receipt of recommended screenings for common cancers. Findings informed policymakers about potential widening of rural/urban disparities in the receipt of cancer preventive services and the potential need to target these services toward rural residents.
Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Topics: Cancer, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health promotion and disease prevention, Health services, Healthcare access

An Innovative Approach to Targeting Rural Communities in Public Health Funding
The Centers for Disease Control launched a new initiative to address COVID-19 related health disparities and to advance health among underserved and at-risk populations. This effort included state funding to address the needs of rural communities. This project was designed to better understand this initiative and its impact on rural health.
Research center: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Healthcare financing, Public health
Assessing Cancer Care Coordination in Rural Health Clinics During a Pandemic
This project aimed to understand how Rural Health Clinics perceived and implemented evidence-based cancer screening and treatment and related intervention strategies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research center: University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
Topics: Cancer, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)