Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health
Public Inspection: HHS: Chronic Disease of Addiction
Federal Register
Jun 9, 2026 - Pre-publication notice of a request for information (RFI) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding substance research, policy, and strategies to improve the prevention, treatment, recovery from mental illness and substance use. HHS seeks information from public, patients, people with lived experience of addiction and recovery, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, policymakers and others on improvements to the programs and policies of the United States government and HHS that focus on substance use, including opioid and polysubstance use, prevention, treatment, and recovery as well as mental health treatment prevention, and recovery in all age groups. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to HHS. Comments are due by July 5, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 8, 2026 - Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding has been granted to 39 emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in North Carolina to enhance the EMS workforce as well as improve access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services through mobile integrated health. Describes drug overdose disparities in rural communities.
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Jun 8, 2026 - Discusses the findings of a recent study highlighting barriers to healthcare access for rural people with disabilities. Includes an interview with the study author discussing the rural impact of a correlation between disability and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Source: Daily Yonder
Jun 4, 2026 - The Census Bureau is seeking comments on revisions to the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is designed to ensure the availability of frequent data collection for nationwide estimates on a variety of topics for a variety of subgroups of the population. The July, September, and November 2026 surveys will include content from the Household Pulse Survey, which serves as an experimental endeavor in cooperation with other federal agencies to produce near real-time data to understand the effects of current events, including health events, and other social or economic events facing the nation or a significant portion of the nation. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 3, 2026 - Describes a pilot program that aims to increase lung cancer screenings in rural Minnesota. Discusses higher rates of tobacco use for rural adults compared to urban adults and how the program addresses cancer screening barriers through a "whole-of-office" approach.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jun 3, 2026 - Highlights a new Census Bureau tool showing the distribution of homes with air conditioning at the state, county, and census tract levels. The tool can be used to identify communities at highest risk of heat exposure. Includes a national county-level map indicating households without air conditioning.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Jun 2, 2026 - Highlights North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding that will address nutrition and physical activity. Discusses chronic illness in the state and describes some of the programs hoping to be awarded funding including community walking programs, gardening programs, and school-based physical activity programs.
Source: ND News Cooperative
May 28, 2026 - Describes high rates of suicides for farmers and rural residents and highlights free resources and services supporting mental health for those populations.
Source: American Ag Network
May 27, 2026 - Announces new funding for rural health work that expands workforce capacity; supports startup growth and private investment; strengthens technology infrastructure; builds pathways for piloting and scaling solutions; and creates partnerships between government, providers, and industry. Supported by the state's Rural Health Transformation Program plan.
Source: Louisiana Economic Development
May 27, 2026 - Highlights a Maine mobile health unit as a solution for transportation barriers that keep rural residents from accessing healthcare. The unit offers maternal and child healthcare in addition to other services.
Source: WABI