Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
May 17, 2022 - Highlights a discussion of the future of telehealth at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Telehealth Conference. Notes the importance of telehealth and issues of accessing telehealth as shared by National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan, particularly related to broadband, training of the rural workforce, and sharing information with rural communities about telehealth options.
Source: MedCity News
May 12, 2022 - Highlights Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as a key source of comprehensive healthcare in rural and underserved areas, noting that there are currently 1,358 FQHCs and over 14,000 when combined with counts of FQHC Service Sites and Look-Alikes. Describes the potential for collaboration between FQHCs and existing rural healthcare organizations as way to fill service gaps and solve financial problems.
Source: The Daily Yonder
May 12, 2022 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS) will hold a virtual public meeting on June 14, 2022, from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a discussion on assessing current SAMHSA strategies to address the mental health and substance use needs of women and girls, priorities regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the behavioral health needs of women and children, and directions around behavioral health services and access for women and children. Registration is required to attend.
Source: Federal Register
May 11, 2022 - Describes efforts to address obstetric and gynecological care shortages in western North Carolina. Highlights the work of the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) to support the maternal health workforce through residencies, fellowships, and training programs, as well as a new online masters program through Western Governors University targeting mental healthcare, which is an additional gap in postpartum care.
Source: North Carolina Health News
ACL: Request for Information: Older Americans Act Regulations
Federal Register
May 6, 2022 - The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is seeking comment on recommended changes to Code of Federal Regulation's section on Grants to State and Community Programs on Aging, Grants to Indian Tribes for Support and Nutrition Services, Grants for Supportive and Nutritional Services to Older Hawaiian Natives, and Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities. ACL specifically is interested in information on challenges faced by older adults, elders, and family caregivers in receiving services under the Older Americans Act, and challenges in delivering services under the Act. Comments are due by June 6, 2022.
Source: Federal Register
May 6, 2022 - Highlights the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Home Based Primary Care team (HBPC) to deliver in-home visits through virtual technology. Describes the process of connecting with patients through the VA's virtual platform and overcoming barriers for patients who had difficulty using the technology.
Source: VAntage Point
May 6, 2022 - Describes barriers to providing equal access to telehealth, covering racial, age, and rural disparities in telehealth use, issues related to technology access and literacy, and broadband access. Notes ongoing telehealth challenges and concerns related to primary language, housing instability, substance use disorder medications, and patient privacy.
Source: mHealth Intelligence
May 4, 2022 - Announces 19 grants to tribal communities in 10 states through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to support internet adoption projects related to healthcare, workforce development, housing, education, and social services. Highlights the need for expanded high-speed internet in tribal communities and information on federal investments in broadband infrastructure. Provides a list of funded projects.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
May 4, 2022 - Announces a White House conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health planned for September. Describes issues of food access and diet-related disease prevalence, and notes that the conference will foster action among food producers, healthcare providers, and governments at the local, state, tribal, and territorial level.
Source: The White House
May 1, 2022 - Describes challenges facing rural hospitals related to providing obstetric care, highlighting disparities in access and maternal mortality in rural, tribal, and Black communities. Notes that many rural hospitals continue to operate obstetrics programs despite losing money on those services.
Source: NPR for Northern Colorado