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News by Topic: Infectious diseases

Jun 1, 2023 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comment removing expired language addressing staff and patient COVID-19 testing requirements for long term care facilities issued in the September 2, 2020, interim final rule. Among other things, this rule finalizes requirements for long-term care facilities to provide education about COVID-19 vaccines and to offer COVID-19 vaccines to residents, clients, and staff; and withdraws language on COVID-19 healthcare staff vaccination requirements in the November 5, 2021, interim final rule with comment. These regulations are effective 60 days after the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for June 5, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
May 26, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on June 28-29, 2023. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. Preregistration is encouraged by June 20, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
May 24, 2023 - Rural Mississippi hospitals are increasingly endangered, as poverty, declining populations, and dwindling inpatient revenue chip away at profits. Federal aid appropriated during the pandemic seemed to slow the rate of closures, but now some are in worse shape than before, as they struggle with ongoing staff shortages and rising costs.
Source: Roll Call
May 23, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on an information collection request titled "Data Collection Through Web Based Surveys for Evaluating Act Against AIDS Social Marketing Campaign Phases Targeting Consumers." Information collected will be used to assess the effectiveness of social marketing messages aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS awareness, increasing prevention behaviors, and improving HIV testing rates among consumers. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
May 12, 2023 - Notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking comment on revised draft guidance titled "Recommendations for Evaluating Donor Eligibility Using Individual Risk-Based Questions to Reduce the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Products; Guidance for Industry." The guidance provides blood establishments that collect blood or blood components, including Source Plasma, with FDA's revised donor deferral recommendations for individuals with increased risk for transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The FDA now recommends assessing donor eligibility using gender-inclusive, individual risk-based questions relevant to HIV risk. Includes details on how to submit comments and indicates that there is no deadline for comments.
Source: Federal Register
May 12, 2023 - Notice of amendment from the Department of Health and Human Services updating the determination of a public health emergency to state that COVID-19 presents a credible risk of a future public health emergency. This notice adds new limitations on distribution that provides coverage under this PREP Act Declaration through December 31, 2024, for the manufacturing, distribution, administration, and use of Covered Countermeasures while they are authorized for emergency use (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and COVID-19 vaccines licensed by FDA, and any FDA approved or cleared in vitro diagnostic product or other device used to treat, diagnose, cure, prevent, or mitigate COVID-19. Among other things, this amendment also extends the authority for certain qualified pharmacy technicians to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, and COVID-19 tests through December 31, 2024. This amendment is effective May 11, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
May 10, 2023 - Notice from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issuing a temporary rule to extend certain exceptions to existing DEA regulations implemented in March 2020 because of the COVID–19 Public Health Emergency (COVID–19 PHE). The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding the prescription of controlled medications that were in place during the COVID–19 PHE will remain in place through November 11, 2023. In addition, if a patient and a practitioner have established a telemedicine relationship on or before November 11, 2023, the same telemedicine flexibilities that have governed the relationship to that point are permitted until November 11, 2024. This rule is effective May 11, 2023, through November 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 10, 2023 - An HHS fact sheet outlining what is and is not changing around telehealth as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ends, including information on coverage of services. Provides guidance around licensure portability, a measure intended to increase access to healthcare for rural and underserved communities. Also outlines broadband initiatives that increase access to healthcare and reduce disparities.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
May 8, 2023 - Announces the launch of the COVID Treatment Access Tool, a web tool that connects American Indian and Alaska Native communities in California with COVID-19 treatment near them. The tool will also feature culturally relevant materials about COVID-19 medications and treatment. The tool was created to address difficult to access health resources specifically for rural Native populations. Notes that a similar tool will launch later this year for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
Source: Native News Online
May 8, 2023 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau making corrections to the April 28, 2023, notice seeking comment on proposed revisions to the Household Pulse Survey. The Census Bureau will begin collecting data using the revised survey on or about May 31, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
May 8, 2023 - Examines the 2022 Employment Report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While employment has increased for rural America, employment levels are still lower than they were prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is different than metropolitan counties, where employment levels are above pre-pandemic numbers. Also describes regional variations for rural employment numbers.
Source: Daily Yonder
May 4, 2023 - Notice from the Food and Drug Administration announcing a virtual meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on June 15, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The agenda will include a discussion and recommendations on the selection of strains to be included in the periodic updated COVID–19 vaccines for the 2023–2024 vaccination campaign. Includes information on how to submit public comments or request permission to make a public comment during the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
May 4, 2023 - Describes a change in the telehealth use trends for February 2023 across the United States. Telehealth use increased between November 2022 and January 2023, but decreased in February 2023. There were also changes in the health conditions being evaluated using telehealth with COVID-19 dropping off the list. In spite of this downturn, audio-only telehealth increased in the Midwest and rural parts of the West, noting that audio-only telehealth is generally higher in rural areas when compared to urban ones.
Source: Xtelligent Healthcare Media
May 1, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) will hold a virtual public meeting on June 8-9, 2023. The agenda will include updates on CDC's activities for prevention of healthcare-associated infections, including updates from the Isolation Precautions Guideline workgroup, the Dental Unit Waterline Guideline Workgroup, the Healthcare Personnel Guideline Workgroup, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Guideline Workgroup, and the National Healthcare Safety Network Workgroup. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
May 1, 2023 - 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 29, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 28, 2023 - The Census Bureau is seeking comment on proposed revisions to the Household Pulse Survey, which helps to inform a range of topics related to households' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed revisions include new detailed race and ethnicity questions, as well as new questions on the use of antivirals to treat COVID, how households obtain COVID tests, the use of infant formula with babies, children's mental health treatment, and pressure to move from current residence. The Census Bureau is also proposing modifications to questions related to children's vaccine booster, COVID testing, infant formula, reasons not working, unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and inflation items. Several questions will be removed for Phase 3.8, including replacing the current race/ethnicity items, and questions about the receipt of updated COVID vaccines, intent to vaccinate children, childcare arrangements, children's mental health and behaviors, and more. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 25, 2023 - The Food and Drug Administration announces an Emergency Use Authorization for BioSynchronicity Corporation's C-Sync COVID–19 Antigen Test. The authorization is effective March 24, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 24, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on the information collection request titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." NHSN is used to track healthcare-associated infections and the extent to which healthcare facilities adhere to infection prevention practices and antimicrobial stewardship. The proposed changes in this information collection request include revisions to nine existing data collection forms. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 24, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking comments on a proposed information collection titled Medical Monitoring Project (MMP). Information gathered will guide national and local HIV-related service organization and delivery and monitor the receipt of HIV treatment and prevention services and clinical outcomes. Written comments must be received on or before June 23, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 19, 2023 - The omnibus appropriations bill signed in December 2022 gave the CDC $5 million for the 2023 fiscal year to create the Office of Rural Health inside the agency. Congress directed the CDC to sharpen its focus on public health in rural areas with the new office, after COVID-19 had an outsize impact on rural America.
Source: KFF Health News
Apr 18, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services announces a new program that will provide support for the existing public sector vaccine safety net, which is implemented through local health departments and Health Resources and Services Administration-supported health centers. It will also create a novel, funded partnership with pharmacy chains that will enable them to continue offering free COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments to the uninsured.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 17, 2023 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT). The Committee is charged with advising CDC and HRSA on objectives, strategies, policies, and priorities for HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STD prevention and treatment efforts. Nominations are due by October 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2023 - The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization to Cue Health, Inc., for an in vitro diagnostic device related to the Orthopoxvirus (mpox) public health emergency. This authorization is effective March 17, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2023 - Highlights a fact sheet detailing the upcoming amendments to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act declaration which allows broad access to COVID-19 countermeasures.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 11, 2023 - The Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that the Notifications of Enforcement Discretion issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will expire on May 11, 2023, due to the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The OCR will continue to support the use of telehealth after the PHE by providing a transition period for healthcare providers to make any changes to their operations that are needed to provide telehealth in a private and secure manner.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 10, 2023 - Early in the pandemic the Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona created a platform to provide up-to-date information to rural healthcare providers on COVID-19 protocols. It has been updated to provide additional information, such as mental health best practices, healthy aging tips, and updates on the newest strains of COVID-19 to the general public and medical workers.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 6, 2023 - Highlights Sources of Strength, a club formed at Washburn Rural High School in Kansas for the purpose of promoting a positive school community and healthy relationships. The club was formed shortly before the beginning of the pandemic and continued to meet online.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal
Apr 4, 2023 - A recent study showed that rural children visiting the Arkansas children's hospital emergency department or those hospitalized from May 2020 to April 2022 for COVID-19-associated diagnoses had a greater likelihood of being hospitalized than urban children. The likelihood of hospitalization was greater among children having complex conditions.
Source: News-Medical.Net