Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health
Jul 10, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to replace obsolete categories, separating response options to better reflect current program priorities, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by September 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 9, 2026 - Discusses the importance of fall prevention for older adults and particularly for rural older adults who are less likely to have access to emergency services and follow up rehabilitation. Notes that data show high rates of fall-related deaths and increases in emergency service responses to falls in Wisconsin. Notes that fall prevention can help aging rural adults maintain independence longer.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jul 9, 2026 - Highlights recent research discussing the impact of where a person lives on health and how 8 data sets assess social risk across health conditions, populations, and geographies.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Jul 5, 2026 - Describes high rates of suicide in Lake Tahoe and the surrounding rural communities. Discusses limited resources and mental healthcare available for suicide prevention, access to firearms, and community led efforts to address suicide.
Source: The Guardian
Jul 2, 2026 - Describes a pilot program using an at-home prescription drug dispensing unit to help rural Minnesota residents with mobility issues remain in their homes in spite of healthcare access challenges. The initiative was started following a community health needs assessment showing almost 50% of residents have difficulty accessing healthcare. The initiative is expanding to more communities.
Source: KAAL
Jun 30, 2026 - Describes the accomplishments of an Oklahoma mobile mental health unit after 1 year of service. Notes that rural areas in particular face access challenges in a state where every county is a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area.
Source: News On 6
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Jun 26, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the March 9, 2026, notice regarding the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Collaborating Center for Questionnaire Design and Evaluation for the National Center for Health Statistics (CCQDER)." The information collected by the CCQDER is used to evaluate questions for optimal design as well as to provide documentation supporting the validity of NCHS and other agencies' information collections. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2026 - Discusses food insecurity for children in a rural Michigan community and a partnership between a school and nonprofit to educate on and connect children with nutritious food. Describes rural specific challenges in accessing food including community resources, transportation, and pride.
Source: Rapid Growth
Jun 25, 2026 - 52 rural libraries across California are now offering blood pressure screening tools and at-home monitoring kits. Describes high rates of high blood pressure and limited access to monitoring resources. The program is part of the American Heart Association's Libraries with Heart program.
Source: American Heart Association Newsroom
Jun 24, 2026 - Describes how University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers are examining the health and environmental impacts of Nebraska's spring wildfires on rural and agricultural communities.
Source: Fox Nebraska