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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and economic development

Mar 26, 2024 - Describes the impact of increased internet access on a tribal reservation in Arizona. Training to increase digital literacy and safety on the internet is being offered. Increased access is also expected to improve economic opportunities and preserve culture such as language.
Source: Cronkite News
Mar 20, 2024 - Profiles a rural Oregon hospital expanding services to include specialty care. Notes the importance placed on healthcare access for people looking to move to a community.
Source: KPTV
Mar 12, 2024 - Highlights pilot projects in Vermont and Minnesota offering public transit planning and payment apps in rural communities. Discusses challenges with offering these services including customer buy-in, sustainable funding, technology limitations, and unreliable internet and cell phone service.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Mar 11, 2024 - Discusses rural Illinois food deserts and the rise of community-owned cooperative stores. Notes the challenges for rural cooperative development including community buy-in, competition with large chains, funding, and more.
Source: Barn Raising Media
Feb 27, 2024 - Announces a new institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences that will conduct community-based research and implement programming for improving rural and medically underserved health outcomes in the state.
Source: UAMS News
Feb 26, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) extending the application period for the Rural eConnectivity (ReConnect) Program for fiscal year 2024. RUS will begin to accept applications on March 22, 2024. Applications are due by May 21, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 21, 2024 - Announces new federal funding for rural projects related to broadband internet, clean water, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Feb 21, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will begin to accept applications for the Rural eConnectivity (ReConnect) Program for fiscal year 2024 on March 22, 2024. The ReConnect Program provides loans and grants to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. Applications that will assist rural communities to recover economically, ensure rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development programs and benefit from Rural Development funded projects, and reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities are encouraged. Applications are due by April 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 19, 2024 - Highlights a Critical Access Hospital in Iowa expanding the obstetrics department in spite of the statewide and national trend of department closures across the country. Discusses partnerships with nearby clinics, the importance of labor and delivery services to small communities, and philosophies of care.
Source: WSIU, PBS, NPR
Feb 14, 2024 - Highlights priority areas from across the federal government for increasing equity for rural, tribal, and other underserved communities. Includes actions to address maternal health outcomes, food insecurity, environmental health, mental health support services for students, community development, and more.
Source: The White House