Rural Health
News by Topic: Community engagement and volunteerism
Jan 21, 2026 - Highlights a Arizona diaper bank program that includes incontinence supplies for aging rural residents. Notes the improved mental and physical health outcomes associated with easy access to diapers and similar products across the lifespan. Discusses the programs successes, replication in other communities, and reliance on volunteers
Source: National Rural Health Association
Jan 19, 2026 - Highlights a rural community campaign to address the caregiving shortage through an intergenerational care center. Discusses the research around intergenerational care as well as how the facility could positively impact retention rates for healthcare workers in the community.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jan 12, 2026 - Highlights volunteer-driven clinics in rural Nevada communities that increase access to medical services and give medical students hands on experience. Discusses rural-specific challenges in providing and accessing healthcare, mobile healthcare services, and retaining students to practice in rural communities.
Source: Nevada Today
Jan 7, 2026 - Discusses cancer outcomes for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and the work of a cancer center in Oklahoma to improve those outcomes. Describes the partnership between the center and 2 tribal nations to ensure tribal participation, inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, and prioritizing community needs.
Source: Open Access Government
Dec 16, 2025 - Highlights the Baseline Survey 2024 from the Regional Rural Development Centers, a collection of datasets exploring topics including household, business, and community well-being to better understand challenges faced by rural and urban communities. The survey included 18,596 respondents.
Source: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Dec 1, 2025 - Reports on the progress of a recently started nonprofit in rural Kentucky aiming to offer services to local homeless residents. Discusses the challenges associated with affordable housing in the community and funding for the nonprofit.
Source: Kentucky Lantern