Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency preparedness and response
Sep 21, 2026 - Describes the importance of childcare access in responding to and recovering from disasters in rural communities, as seen in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Discusses the needs of childcare providers to reopen, including their own health and safety concerns and funding.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Sep 18, 2026 - Announces a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy creating the HHS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Forecast. The Forecast will aid manufacturers in understanding PPE needs and will be updated and published quarterly.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Sep 3, 2026 - Highlights U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs available for disaster preparation, response, and recovery with focus a on their use in Illinois.
Source: USDA Rural Development Newsroom
Sep 1, 2026 - Hawaii has received $58 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve access to healthcare and strengthen services in rural and underserved communities. This includes $45 million for the University of Hawaii School of Medicine to administer workforce development programs and $13 million for the Hawaii Department of Health to acquire new ambulances and upgrade emergency communications systems.
Source: Kaua'i Now
Aug 26, 2026 - Describes a plan to use drone technology to support timely medical delivery in a rural Kansas community. Discusses the resources and labor that could be repurposed, particularly during emergency situations.
Source: KSNT
Aug 19, 2026 - Announces funding awarded for digital health modernization, cybersecurity, and enhanced interoperability in rural and underserved communities in South Dakota. The funding is part of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program allotment and comes in addition to other federal funding for increasing access to care and supporting the rural health workforce.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Aug 18, 2026 - Highlights research finding that recent flooding in rural Appalachia increased opioid overdose deaths due to the stress of the event, disrupted treatment, and weakened support systems in the aftermath. Discusses data trends following severe floods and how lessons learned from one destructive flood prepared providers for future flooding disasters.
Source: Medical Xpress
Aug 10, 2026 - Announces additional resources and flexibilities from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist with the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) in Washington beginning August 1, 2026 related to wildfires. Shares information and resources for those impacted and responding to the wildfires, including CMS waivers, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, medical equipment and supplies replacement, access to Medicare Part D medications, and health information privacy and accessibility resources.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services