Rural Health
Top Stories
Top news stories from the past 60 days. For more, see news by topic or news by state.
Dec 10, 2024 - Reports on a new Nevada language-access law that exempts smaller counties and discusses the impacts on rural residents that speak a language other than English. Highlights the growing diversification of rural areas as well as the challenges with offering services and information in languages other than English for small jurisdictions with limited resources. Discusses the importance of language-access for topics related to public health and voting for health-related issues.
Source: KFF Health News, Daily Yonder
Dec 9, 2024 - Provides overview of resources available through the Rural Mental Health Resources Hub, created by Mental Health America (MHA). Describes resources including a free mental health screening, educational overviews, and information for communities looking to better serve residents with mental health conditions. Discusses rural disparities in access to mental health treatment and efforts by MHA's South Carolina chapter to expand access through a mobile mental health clinic program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 9, 2024 - Discusses anticipated challenges with receiving prescription medication for rural Missouri residents relying on the U.S. Postal Service due to planned changes to distribution routes and less frequent service. Notes there have been increases in mail-order prescriptions alongside a national trend in rural pharmacy closures.
Source: Missouri Independent
Dec 6, 2024 - Highlights a partnership between the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to address cardiovascular health to reduce rural health disparities. The Get With The Guidelines program focuses on quality improvement for rural hospitals, offering free clinical consultants, evidence-based education, access to AHA resources, and peer collaboration for up to 700 hospitals.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Dec 6, 2024 - Features a program led by the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center (OBRC) which works to expand access to breastfeeding education in rural communities. Notes the health benefits of breastfeeding and lower rates of breastfeeding initiation in some rural areas. Describes how OBRC offers training to rural providers on evidence-based best practices and helps hospitals achieve Baby-Friendly designation.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Dec 4, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that between 2010 and 2022 access to obstetric care has declined in both rural and urban hospitals, though closures for rural areas are felt more acutely. Notes the impact closures have on already high maternal mortality rates.
Source: University of Minnesota News and Events
Dec 3, 2024 - Highlights the 2025 class of Rural Health Fellows from the National Rural Health Association.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Dec 2, 2024 - Describes the findings of a 2024 report by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps on health disparities between urban and rural counties. Includes analysis and visualization of data on uneven health outcomes and regional disparities. Highlights the correlation between poor health outcomes in rural counties and lack of access to civic infrastructure, including libraries, high speed internet, and local news.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 2, 2024 - Describes the findings of a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the use of nirsevimab to treat RSV among infants in rural Alaska. Notes that the drug helped to reduce the severity of illness among babies and young children in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, which has the highest rate of RSV-related infant hospitalization in the nation. Discusses how inadequate water and wastewater services and overcrowded housing in rural Alaska contribute to disease spread.
Source: Alaska Beacon
EOP: National Rural Health Day, 2024
Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - Proclamation from the Executive Office of the President declaring November 21, 2024 National Rural Health Day. Summarizes investments and resources committed to rural health by the Biden Administration.
Source: Federal Register
VA: Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee
Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking nominations to the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee. The committee advises the Secretary through the Under Secretary for Health on ways to improve and enhance access to VA health care services for Veterans residing in rural areas by reviewing current program activities and identifying barriers to accessing care and services. Nominations must be received by January 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 26, 2024 - Discusses a student-led peer support initiative to destigmatize mental health in a rural Nevada community. Highlights existing challenges in accessing mental healthcare due to workforce shortages as well as limited transportation.
Source: The Nevada Independent
Nov 25, 2024 - Describes the work of clinicians deployed to rural
communities by the North Carolina Office of Emergency
Medical Services (NCEMS) in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Discusses the challenges faced by providers staffing the
temporary sites, including flooded roads and limited
electricity. Notes the wide range of services that were
offered at the sites, from wound care to replacing
medications that were lost in the storm.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Nov 25, 2024 - Provides overview of data on bird flu spread in western states. Notes the possibility of numerous unreported cases among farmworkers due to a widespread lack of testing. Features varying perspectives on the testing of asymptomatic individuals and best practices for increasing testing among farmworkers.
Source: Idaho Capital Sun
Nov 22, 2024 - Announces nearly $52 million for 54 Health Resources & Services Administration-funded health centers for increasing access to primary care for people reentering the community after incarceration. Funding will address health needs including managing chronic conditions, reducing the risk of drug overdose, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and infectious disease prevention, screening, diagnosing, and treatment.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Nov 22, 2024 - Summarizes the Biden-Harris Administration's investments in rural healthcare. Details funding for workforce development, technical assistance to improve healthcare facilities' economic viability, and access to primary care, maternal, HIV, mental health, and substance use disorder services.
Source: Health Resources and Services Administration
Nov 21, 2024 - National Rural Health Day, a day to recognize the efforts of rural community members, healthcare providers, and other rural stakeholders, is being celebrated on November 21, 2024. Includes a collection of stories from around the country recognizing and celebrating National Rural Health Day.
HRSA: Inclusion of Terrain Factors in the Definition of Rural Area for Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grants
Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) adopting proposed modifications to the definition of rural areas to integrate the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) 2023 Road Ruggedness Scale (RRS). The updated definition of rural will include geographic areas that are either nonmetropolitan counties, outlying metropolitan counties with no population from an urban area of 50,000 or more people, census tracts with rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes 4-10 in metropolitan counties, census tracts of at least 400 square miles in an area with a population density of 35 or less per square mile with RUCA codes 2-3 in metropolitan counties, or census tracts with RRS 5 and RUCA codes 2-3 that are at least 20 square miles in metropolitan counties. Lists the number of tracts newly defined as rural in 10 states. Changes go into effect November 21, 2024 and apply to FORHP's Notice of Funding Opportunity for fiscal year 2025 and future years.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 21, 2024 - Announces proposed legislation to reauthorize the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, which funds Critical Access Hospitals.
Source: Office of Congresswoman Terri Sewell
DEA, HHS: Third Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications
Federal Register
Nov 19, 2024 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (COVID-19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID-19 PHE as outlined in the Second Temporary Rule will remain in place through December 31, 2025. This rule is effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 18, 2024 - Presents overview of the Rural Public Health Strategic Plan developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office of Rural Health (ORH). Includes commentary from ORH leadership on how the plan will guide their future work. Notes that the main priorities outlined in the plan include community health partnerships, rural public health infrastructure, rural public health science, and rural public health preparedness and response.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 18, 2024 - Interviews rural health researcher Carrie Henning-Smith on rural healthcare access, quality of life, rural health innovation, and her research focus.
Source: University of Minnesota News and Events
Nov 14, 2024 - Highlights an initiative to increase vaccination for influenza among Kansas farmworkers. Discusses the increased risk of co-infection with H5N1 bird flu and seasonal influenza as well as the strain seasonal illnesses can place on low-staffed rural hospitals.
Source: KCUR, NPR
Nov 13, 2024 - Provides overview of recent research on rural medical debt. Notes that rural residents are more likely than urban residents to have problems paying medical bills, and identifies gender and racial disparities within rural survey respondents. Discusses the potential impacts of medical debt on the viability of rural hospitals.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 11, 2024 - Highlights research finding that cardiovascular disease deaths have increased for rural adults between 2010 and 2020. The study analyzed death certificate data for over 11 million people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on already existing cardiovascular health outcomes on rural and urban populations. Notes possible solutions for reducing the disparity.
Source: American Heart Association Newsroom
Nov 11, 2024 - Discusses the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene for a rural North Carolina county that lost its only dental clinic for low-income patients in the storm. Discusses barriers to recruiting more dental workforce and efforts to maintain some services in a repurposed mobile van.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Nov 11, 2024 - Announces a new proposal from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to eliminate copayments for telehealth services and create a grant program to fund telehealth in non-VA facilities in rural and other underserved locations. The goal of the 2 initiatives is to reduce healthcare costs and increase access to care. Also discusses other VA efforts to expand access to healthcare.
Source: VA News
Nov 6, 2024 - Discusses access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare challenges for rural veterans, noting broadband access, workforce shortages, transportation issues, and caregiving load as contributing to the challenges.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 4, 2024 - Highlights the growth of community health worker (CHW)
programs across the country. Notes that CHW programs in
rural areas can help connect low-income and minority
communities to health systems and navigate common barriers
to care. Describes the impacts of a CHW program in Huron,
South Dakota, which was created through a federal grant
program and is now funded by Medicaid reimbursements.
Source: South Dakota Searchlight, KFF Health News
Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 31, 2024 - Announces a partnership between federal agencies and the National Rural Water Association for a 1 year study on cybersecurity for rural water systems. The study will identify areas for improvement, guidance on cyber-support programs, and offer training on cybersecurity issues.
Source: Rural Development, United States Department of Agriculture
Oct 30, 2024 - Arizona's Medicaid agency is funding new on-call OB-GYN providers for rural communities. The initiative is meant to increase access to care for people in maternity care deserts. Discusses challenges with recruiting healthcare providers to rural areas and the role of mental health in mortality for pregnant and postpartum women.
Source: Cronkite News
Oct 28, 2024 - Interviews Carrie Henning-Smith about aging in place and social connection, highlighting the challenges and benefits in rural communities. Discusses Minnesota-based programming on the topic, community involvement, and recent research.
Source: Next Avenue, The John A. Hartford Foundation
Oct 28, 2024 - Announces partnership between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and StoryCorps to record stories related to rural health triumphs and challenges in honor of National Rural Health Day. Conversations will be recorded virtually in early November and archived at the Library of Congress. Registration is open now and recording slots are available on a first come, first served basis.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 24, 2024 - Announces the release of a report sharing best practices, models, research, and policies related to rural age-friendly care. Highlights the partnership between the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation in addressing age-friendly care for rural older adults.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Oct 23, 2024 - Highlights the work of the nonprofit Northern Forest Center to fund workforce housing development in rural Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Notes that housing shortages have contributed to recruitment challenges for local businesses, including healthcare organizations. Describes their "capital stack" funding approach and the potential for replication in rural communities elsewhere in the country.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Oct 22, 2024 - Profiles Montevideo Medical Academy, a medical training program creating a pipeline for rural Minnesota high school students toward healthcare professions. Describes how the program was started and successes early in the program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Oct 21, 2024 - Highlights the experience of a pregnant rural Georgia woman in a maternity care desert. Discusses maternity care deserts nationally, obstetric and gynecologic care in Federally Qualified Health Centers, general health disparities in areas with limited access to healthcare, and increasing the healthcare workforce for rural areas.
Source: WABE, PBS, NPR
Oct 20, 2024 - Announcement of new federal Community Liaisons program to assist communities impacted by Hurricane Helene with ongoing recovery efforts. Provides overview of ongoing programs including Disaster Recovery Centers and mass feeding sites serving impacted communities in rural North Carolina. Details additional resources including home inspections and Transitional Sheltering Assistance.
Source: The White House
Oct 16, 2024 - Announces an amendment to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to allow coverage of traditional healthcare practices at Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, tribal facilities, and urban Indian organizations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Oregon. The action is expected to improve access to culturally appropriate healthcare. Notes the health disparities for American Indian and Alaska Native populations compared to the general population.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Oct 15, 2024 - Order from the Federal Communications Commission waiving certain program rules for the Rural Health Care Program providers impacted by Hurricane Milton. Highlights changes to deadlines for appeals and waivers, information requests, and invoices as well as document retention rules.
Source: Universal Service Administrative Co.
Oct 14, 2024 - Discusses higher breast cancer mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women. Explores treatment barriers including transportation and long distances to care. Notes lower screening rates among AI/AN women and efforts to develop more culturally responsive outreach tools.
Source: ABC News
Oct 14, 2024 - Describes the use of ride-hailing apps by rural Georgians for transportation to medical appointments. Highlights data showing that a significant number of rural residents are using the apps for transportation to appointments over 100 miles away. Notes that some insurance plans cover transportation costs, but services may be less available in rural communities.
Source: KFF Health News
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