Rural Health
News by Topic: Access
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 17, 2024 - Highlights drivers of stress for farmers in Ohio and the associated high suicide rate when compared to the general population. Discusses barriers to accessing mental healthcare and local initiatives to connect the agriculture community with resources.
Source: The Ohio Newsroom
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 16, 2024 - Announces a large donation to the Dartmouth Health Advanced Response Team in New Hampshire which transports patients from rural areas to healthcare facilities across New England. The funding will offer 3 phases of improvement including new equipment, an emergency medical technician training program, and software.
Source: VT Digger
Oct 16, 2024 - Reports on the challenges for schools with identifying and supporting children experiencing homelessness in rural Nebraska and efforts to overcome those challenges. Describes the mix of policy and community-based organization supports to ensure rural children have transportation, food, clothes, and more.
Source: Nebraska Public Media
Oct 15, 2024 - Highlights high rates of food insecurity in rural western North Carolina and how these challenges were exacerbated by Hurricane Helene. Features an Asheville-based food bank that offers food distribution throughout the region, but which incurred significant damages in the storm. Describes ongoing efforts to distribute food to storm-affected rural areas, including pop-up distribution sites, mobile kitchens, and state and federal assistance programs.
Source: NC Health News
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
Oct 14, 2024 - Highlights two mobile clinic programs offering a variety of women's health services, including birth control, to rural communities in Texas and Arkansas. Notes that mobile clinics can help improve access to women's health services in rural areas, but are often expensive to operate. Describes funding strategies, community partnerships, legal considerations, and the utilization of community health workers for mobile clinic programs.
Source: KFF Health News