Rural Health
News by Topic: Population health
Jan 21, 2026 - Highlights a Arizona diaper bank program that includes incontinence supplies for aging rural residents. Notes the improved mental and physical health outcomes associated with easy access to diapers and similar products across the lifespan. Discusses the programs successes, replication in other communities, and reliance on volunteers
Source: National Rural Health Association
Jan 16, 2026 - Describes the impact of sleep on safety in farming work and overall health. Discusses the impact of poor sleep and notes that a traditional farming schedule can disrupt sleep patterns. Offers recommendations for good sleep practices and treating common sleep disorders.
Source: Farm Progress: Nebraska Farmer
CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
Federal Register
Jan 15, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "Assessment and Monitoring of Breastfeeding-Related Maternity Care in Intrapartum Care Facilities in the United States and Territories." The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey is a census of maternity care hospitals in the United States and territories to better understand national breastfeeding supportive maternity practices and changes in these practices over time. Information collected will be used to identify, document, and share information related to changes in practices processes over time at the hospital, state, regional, and national levels. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 14, 2026 - Describes various rural healthcare-focused investments across Oklahoma. Discusses long-term investment strategies, telehealth, workforce training and retention, cancer care access, and preventive care.
Source: News 9
Jan 13, 2026 - Discusses a recent study finding that portable water stations installed in rural Alaskan homes without piped water as part of COVID-19 mitigation efforts are decreasing contagious diseases and increasing water use. Discusses the cost savings associated with this system, making water associated public health practices more achievable than in the past.
Source: Alaska Beacon
Jan 12, 2026 - Discusses a program offering mental healthcare to students in a rural Virginia school. Highlights the program's funding, the increased mental healthcare access for rural children through school-based programs, and mental health awareness.
Source: Cardinal News
Jan 12, 2026 - Describes increasing rates of suicide among children between 10 and 17 in Tennessee and highlights a program being expanded into rural communities to address the crisis. Notes rural-specific issues driving poor outcomes including stigma and less mental healthcare access. Discusses telehealth and school-based services as opportunities to improve outcomes.
Source: WJHL
Jan 11, 2026 - Highlights a new health center in rural Alabama offering podiatry services. Describes rural disparities in accessing specialty care and the associated poor outcomes.
Source: WSFA
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