Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health
Feb 17, 2026 - Discusses the need for and lack of mental healthcare in farming communities with a close look at Texas and Oklahoma. Identifies occupational contributors to stress and rural-specific barriers in accessing care.
Source: Southwest Farm Press
Feb 13, 2026 - Describes the Cancer Analytics & Maps for Small Areas (CAMSA), a tool offering cancer incidence and mortality rates data at the Iowa county and Zip Code Tabulation Ares (ZCTA) levels. Notes that rural areas often have data gaps in national tools. Discusses collaborations with other states to develop similar tools.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch
Feb 11, 2026 - The Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust has awarded more than $600,000 to research and prevention projects at Mercer University School of Medicine. The projects address substance use in Georgia and emphasize prevention, treatment, and impact in rural communities most affected by the opioid epidemic.
Source: The Den
Feb 9, 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. In September 2025, the Census Bureau will conduct the 2030 Census Planning Survey, which is designed to understand attitudes and behaviors that relate to 2030 Census participation across demographic characteristics. The October and December topical surveys will include content from the Household Pulse Survey. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 4, 2026 - Analyzes 211 call data to identify areas of need at the county level in South Dakota, including housing, food, and utility assistance. Highlights the work of 211 staff.
Source: South Dakota News Watch
Feb 3, 2026 - Summarizes new research finding that rural Arkansans with type 2 diabetes had improved health outcomes following virtual delivery of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). The study also compared standard and family-centered models DSMES and discusses the benefits of the family model for the patient and others in their support network.
Source: UAMS News
Feb 3, 2026 - Executive Order from the Office of the President establishing the White House Great American Recovery Initiative. The Initiative will coordinate the Federal Government's response to the addiction crisis, including advising heads of executive departments and agencies on how to implement programs that integrate prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and re-entry into all relevant systems. The Initiative will be co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery, and will have an Executive Director who shall administer the Initiative who will report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 3, 2026 - Discusses the rural-focused work at a primarily rural health system. Highlights the use of telehealth and artificial intelligence to tackle common rural health challenges.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Feb 2, 2026 - Discusses overdose death disparities in rural Georgia and new funding for 18 communities to support community-based responses. Notes rural-specific challenges in addressing the opioid crisis.
Source: The Georgia Virtue
Feb 2, 2026 - Offers the ability to provide comments regarding the inclusion of 24 Measures Under Consideration List for the purpose of offering additional feedback to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Comments are due February 16, 2026.
Source: Partnership for Quality Measurement