Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health
Apr 15, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is accepting nominations of candidates to serve as primary and alternate delegates for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee (CIIHE TAC). CIIHE TAC delegates must be elected tribal officials from a federally recognized tribe acting in their official capacity or individuals designated by an elected tribal official. There are vacancies for all Indian Health Service areas. Nomination letters are encouraged by May 18, 2026, but nominations will be accepted until all primary and alternate delegate positions are filled.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2026 - Though Vermont placed third in the 2025 America's Health Rankings, this is based on averages bolstered by a few counties that are not representative of the state's geography or its working-age population. Discusses significant gaps between various health metrics in urban and rural areas of Vermont.
Source: Compass Vermont
Apr 10, 2026 - Announces updates to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's National Emphasis Program - Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards, guidance that protects outdoor and indoor workers from heat stress in 55 high-risk industries including agriculture. Updates include an evaluation of employer heat programs.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Apr 9, 2026 - Describes cardiovascular health disparities in rural Oklahoma, driven in part by limited access to healthcare facilities, specialists, and transportation.
Source: KOKH
Apr 8, 2026 - Highlights the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit in Michigan, an event exploring the role of traditional food practices in fostering social connection and maintaining health for tribal communities.
Source: WKAR
Apr 7, 2026 - The governor of Louisiana has established the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability and the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council. The 2 groups will administer Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds and ensure goals are met. Describes health disparities of rural residents in the state.
Source: WAFB
Apr 7, 2026 - Describes a free Arkansas farmer mental health support program utilizing both telehealth and on-the-farm visits, addressing access and stigma associated with receiving mental health support. Highlights how the program was created.
Source: Delta Farm Press
Apr 2, 2026 - Describes community costs associated with regulations for addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminations in North Carolina wastewater systems. Discusses challenges for small water systems with focus on one community that faces increased costs after the main employer and town's primary water ratepayer closed.
Source: North Carolina Health News
AHRQ: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Mar 31, 2026 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed revisions to an information collection titled "Medical Expenditures Panel Survey—Household Component, OMB No. 0935-0118." Proposed changes include revising the wording of 24 questions for clarity and to improve the response rate; replacing two exercise items on the 2022 MEPS Preventive Care Self-Administered Questionnaire (PSAQ) with five new items for exercise and strength training; adding questions to the PSAQ about use of sleep medication, trouble getting to sleep, screen time, use of wearable devices, self-assessed diet quality, fruit and vegetable consumption, meals eaten away from home, former smoking, and weight loss attempt; and more. Comments are due by April 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 30, 2026 - Describes the work of Nebraska researchers who are investigating treatment barriers and facilitators of success for rural people with addiction. Discusses the impact of both stigma and support networks in treatment.
Source: WJAG