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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Health conditions

Apr 17, 2024 - Executive Order from the Office of the President revoking three executive orders related to COVID-19 – Executive Order 13910 of March 23, 2020, Executive Order 13991 of January 20, 2021, and Executive Order 13998 of January 21, 2021. This order also transfers the responsibilities of the Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response and Counselor to the President to the Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR) and terminates the COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response positions.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that telepharmacy increased access to pharmacy services following the pandemic. Telepharmacy records in a Midwest health system show that use of the service increased significantly between 2019 and 2022, attributed to COVID-19 impacts. Discusses the impact on rural residents.
Source: Specialty Pharmacy Contiuum
Apr 15, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). HICPAC is charged with advising the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and related events in settings where healthcare is provided. Nominations are due by September 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 12, 2024 - A food bank serving South Texas is offering free diabetes education. Notes the higher rates of obesity and diabetes in the area are worse for rural residents. Highlights success of this type of program in other rural areas of the state.
Source: KIII
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses population trends for Amish communities based on the need for land and healthcare. Notes that some rare genetic diseases are present in Amish populations and discusses healthcare access challenges related to insurance status and transportation. Highlights an Ohio clinic primarily treating Amish patients.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Apr 8, 2024 - Discusses the mortality rate disparity between rural and urban residents following recent research showing the gap has widened to 43% in 2019 from 6% in 1999 for adults between 25 and 54. Offers analysis by experts on causes of this disparity including social vulnerability factors, community vitality, and insurance rates. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on current mortality rates.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Apr 8, 2024 - Describes the impact of a new federal grant on telehealth access in rural Alabama. Notes that substance use disorder and mental health disorder healthcare in particular is expected to increase.
Source: Alabama Daily News
Apr 5, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Outcome and Assessment Information Set OASIS-E1; 2) Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Fee-For-Service Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Survey; 3) Application for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) for People with End-Stage Renal Disease; and 4) End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Annual Home Dialysis within Nursing Home Survey Form. Comments are due by June 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 3, 2024 - Highlights a Virginia initiative to increase access to clinical trials, cancer screenings, and specialty cancer care for rural residents. Discusses current access challenges such as distance, transportation, and socioeconomic barriers.
Source: WTOP News
Apr 2, 2024 - Highlights population shift trends between urban and rural places. Notes that the highest rural county gains were in those closest to metropolitan areas. Discusses current data alongside pre-pandemic patterns as well as state level trends.
Source: The Daily Yonder