Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and faith-based initiatives
SAMHSA: Agency Information Collection Activities Comment Request
Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS), which collects information on the substance use and mental health treatment facility locations, characteristics, and use of substance use and mental health treatment services. Proposed changes include revising the questionnaire's content on crisis services and faith-based organizations, and targeted clarifications to existing N-SUMHSS questionnaire items. Comments are due by December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 15, 2026 - Discusses medical loan closet programs for people struggling to afford expensive medical equipment. Notes that equipment may be more expensive for rural residents with more limited access to equipment and loan closets can fill that gap.
Source: High Plains Public Radio
Sep 14, 2026 - Describes the work of libraries to connect rural and tribal communities with tools and education promoting heart health through the American Heart Association's Libraries with Heart initiative. Discusses rural heart health risk and highlights how the program has been implemented in Florida, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Sep 14, 2026 - Describes a North Carolina opioid overdose prevention program offering free naloxone through vending machines in an effort to increase access to the medication. Discusses how machines are placed and stocked based on community needs as well as the partnerships that make projects like this possible.
Source: ECU News Services
Sep 10, 2026 - Highlights recent research in Texas finding a connection between food insecurity and chronic illness. Discusses how non-medical drivers of health can lead to poor health outcomes and common barriers to affordable and nutritious foods such as transportation. Describes how community-based organizations can use the findings to make decisions about resource allocation.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Sep 8, 2026 - Announces awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a variety of behavioral health treatment, prevention, and crisis response programs across over 20 funding opportunities. Includes funding for suicide prevention and response in tribal communities, community-based systems of care for tribal youth, emergency medical services for behavioral health crises in rural areas, and training and technical assistance for rural opioid and stimulant use.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services