Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and faith-based initiatives
Mar 10, 2026 - Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers.
Source: The Beacon: Missouri
Mar 5, 2026 - Highlights the work of rural Southeastern Vermont organizations and initiatives to support aging in place for older adults. Discusses meeting the transportation, social connection, housing, and other needs of area older adults.
Source: Generations Now
Mar 2, 2026 - Highlights the role a rural Colorado food pantry plays in fostering social connection. Notes sustainability challenges for grant operated organizations.
Source: KUNC
Mar 2, 2026 - New telehealth booths have been installed in 7 rural New Mexico libraries, giving area residents access to virtual health appointments and more.
Source: KOAT
Feb 28, 2026 - Describes the focus on native culture as a preventive strategy for suicide and mental health crises in Lummi Nation. Discusses high rates of drug overdoses among Lummi Nation youth.
Source: Native News Online
Feb 26, 2026 - Highlights a program in rural South Carolina offering resources and support to people with diabetes. Notes common challenges for rural residents in accessing healthcare.
Source: WACH
Feb 26, 2026 - Describes state-level legislation and community initiatives in Virginia to improve access to care for maternal mental health issues and cervical cancer screening. Discusses efforts to include rural residents to specialty care through telehealth.
Source: Cardinal News
Feb 18, 2026 - Describes food insecurity in rural and tribal South Dakota and the community programs working to address it. Discusses the volunteer-led model that makes these programs successful.
Source: South Dakota News Watch
Feb 11, 2026 - Highlights the success of a philanthropic-funded program placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with law enforcement officers across North Dakota. Describes the importance of the equipment in rural areas where lifesaving emergency care is often far away.
Source: North Dakota Monitor
Feb 11, 2026 - The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has awarded more than $600,000 to research and prevention projects at Mercer University School of Medicine. The projects address substance use in Georgia and emphasize prevention, treatment, and impact in rural communities most affected by the opioid epidemic.
Source: The Den