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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health

Sep 3, 2026 - Discusses physician workforce shortages both nationally and in one Alabama county. Describes the rural-specific impacts of the shortage and how an Alabama health system recruits to address area shortages.
Source: Huntsville Business Journal
Sep 3, 2026 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) on September 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The agenda and instructions on how to register for the meeting will be posted on the FRRCC website. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 1, 2026 - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has issued a call for information on high-priority, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research needs to address gaps in evidence. Information is sought on areas that would improve health outcomes and includes a focus on comparisons of treatments, care delivery, or system-level strategies; addressing differences across groups or communities; healthcare challenges; or addressing varied settings. Submissions are being accepted until November 2, 2026.
Source: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Aug 31, 2026 - Announces plans for the Lumbee River Health System, a new system aiming to join the Indian Health Service (IHS) in North Carolina. Describes how the system will work with partners for payment and identify areas of need to be addressed within the Lumbee Tribe.
Source: Foxy 99
Aug 28, 2026 - Announces a new suicide prevention campaign in Oklahoma designed to reach certain groups with high rates of suicide including rural residents, tribal residents, older adults, veterans, and middle-aged men.
Source: Fox 23
Aug 25, 2026 - Discusses the work of 3 Minnesota-based researchers to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) in rural communities. Highlighted projects focus on tribal communities, overcoming barriers to exercise, and identifying innovative work in the ADRD space already happening in rural communities.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Aug 24, 2026 - Highlights recent research describing a successful automated phone counseling program aiming to increase physical activity among residents in 6 rural Alabama counties. Notes that increased exercise can positively impact rural health disparities.
Source: UAB News
Aug 24, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on the adequacy of the categories currently used in federal vaccine recommendations: routine (universal) recommendations, risk-based recommendations, and recommendations based on shared clinical decision-making. HHS also seeks comments on the considerations that should be relied upon in setting vaccine recommendations. Comments are due by September 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on the extension of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 2027. In addition, the CDC is interested in comments regarding a redesign of NHIS for 2028. The draft questionnaires for 2028 are available on the NHIS website. Comments are due by October 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 20, 2026 - Highlights a study in progress investigating the impact of a food as medicine program on health outcomes in the rural Mississippi Delta. Also discusses the way the study is positively impacting area farmers through investments in the local food production economy. Notes that preliminary study outcomes are positive, but full results will not be ready until the study concludes in 2027.
Source: Farm Press