COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Essential Public Health Services and Online Health Communication-Appalachian Kentucky, March-December 2020.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges for local health departments (LHDs). This study examines how stay-at-home orders impacted the provision of essential public health services and subsequent increased use of online health communication by LHDs for rural populations in Appalachian Kentucky during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A survey to gather information about provision of essential public health services was administered to five LHDs representing 13 counties between June 2020 and December 2020. Additionally, demographic and health-outcome data from LHD, state health department, and CDC websites were reviewed, alongside health communications posted on LHD social media pages. Using these data, the authors conducted descriptive analyses

SUBMITTER: Riggs MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10629872 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature