This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health

Jan 7, 2026 - Discusses cancer outcomes for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population and the work of a cancer center in Oklahoma to improve those outcomes. Describes the partnership between the center and 2 tribal nations to ensure tribal participation, inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, and prioritizing community needs.
Source: Open Access Government
Jan 7, 2026 - Describes the work being done to launch an Alaska-specific service for a national helpline for Native people experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. Notes that rurality and high rates of intimate partner violence in the state make the service needed.
Source: Alaska Beacon
Jan 6, 2026 - Describes suicide disparities for rural areas compared to urban ones and factors contributing to higher rural rates. Highlights policy measures addressing rural suicide in Montana and Washington.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Jan 5, 2026 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing updates to the HRSA-supported Women's Preventive Services Guidelines relating to cervical cancer screening. For most non-grandfathered group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage, this update will take effect in 2027.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 3, 2026 - Describes the disparate risk for suicide among rural farmers and offers recommendations for addressing that risk including telemedicine, farming support, developing hobbies, and more. Includes Iowa-focused resources for farmers.
Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch
Dec 30, 2025 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeking 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 March 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 26, 2025 - Discusses the importance of an established relationship with a primary care provider, particularly for rural residents where specialty care access is limited. Discusses the preventive role of primary care and the associated improved health outcomes.
Source: WXOW
Dec 23, 2025 - Describes a Wisconsin program that supports self-directed home care services that allows older adults to age in place. The program includes a Care Integration Senior Aide (CISA) which works to support clients with daily activities and monitor various social determinants of health that put clients at risk of poor health outcomes. Notes that rural residents may be in need of extra support. Discusses the role of philanthropy in developing and expanding the program.
Source: Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Dec 23, 2025 - Describes the work conditions putting Colorado farmers at risk for skin cancer, alongside cancer healthcare access challenges for rural communities. Notes that skin cancer caught early is often successfully treated.
Source: KOAA News 5
Dec 22, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Respiratory Data." This information collection is designed to standardize the data elements collected from across the country regarding the impact of respiratory viruses on healthcare facilities. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register