Rural Vermont and New Hampshire community-based responses effectively protect vulnerable residents

A new report from Dartmouth College on COVID-19 and rural health equity in Northern New England finds that rural Vermont and New Hampshire have responded effectively to the pandemic. The response has been characterized as community-based, consisting of social service organizations and residents collaborating to identify and protect vulnerable populations such as those experiencing homelessness. In this approach, health systems are the last line of defense. However, the region does still face challenges such as limited personal protective equipment, little capacity for testing and contract tracing, and a general shortage of primary care providers. #covid-19 #rural