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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Populations

Apr 26, 2024 - Highlights 2 tools from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track heat and air quality data. Discusses potential uses of the tools for Community Health Centers and outreach to farm workers.
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR
Apr 26, 2024 - Profiles two Indigenous doulas in New Mexico. Discusses challenges with growing the profession related to training costs, lack of culturally relevant training, and limited or no insurance reimbursement. Notes that Medicaid reimbursements will be available beginning in July.
Source: New Mexico In Depth
Apr 26, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting information to assist in the development of a national standard of practice for VA marriage and family therapists. Outlines the proposed standard of practice, including education, state licensure, and tasks and duties the profession will be able to perform within the scope of their VA employment, among other things. Comments are due by June 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) finalizing long-term school nutrition requirements based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, stakeholder input, and lessons learned from prior rulemaking. Among other things, this rule phases in added sugars limits for the school lunch and breakfast programs and in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, implements a single sodium reduction in the school lunch and breakfast programs, and establishes long-term milk and whole grain requirements for school meals. Program operators will not be required to make changes to their menus until school year 2025-2026 at the earliest. This rule is effective July 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 25, 2024 - Announces the expansion of a cancer care program for veterans. Program clinicians improve access to cancer care by traveling to outpatient clinics in rural and other places. Expansion of the program is expected to bring cancer care to 9,000 additional veterans.
Source: VA News
Apr 24, 2024 - Announces federal partnerships with rural and local organizations as well as funding for broadband deployment in 11 states for rural and tribal communities. The program will cover feasibility studies, network designs, hiring, technical assistance, and more. Funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Apr 24, 2024 - Profiles the only psychiatrist in Navajo Nation who blends Western behavioral healthcare and cultural practices in his delivery of care. Discusses mental healthcare access, diabetes, recruiting healthcare workforce, and the impact of COVID-19.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 23, 2024 - Announces $700 million in funding for tribal communities for water and sewage infrastructure as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Also announces a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Indian Health Service (IHS) as well as a partnership between the United States Public Health Services (USPHS) Commissioned Corps and IHS. The partnerships will address barriers in access to resources as well as public health workforce needs.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Apr 22, 2024 - Announces an expanded partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD), increasing access to healthcare for New York area veterans. Discusses the impact the expanded access will have on rural veterans.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Apr 19, 2024 - Summarizes a recent Arizona meeting addressing higher suicide rates in Native American communities. Notes the impact that long travel distances for reservation residents can negatively impact mental health. Discusses the role of historical trauma in disparate rates.
Source: Cronkite News