Rural Health
News by Topic: Primary care
Mar 6, 2026 - Profiles a labor and delivery department in a rural North Carolina Critical Access Hospital. Maternity services were re-started in 2020 using family physicians after closing the department in 1991. Describes maternity care access across North Carolina, challenges with sustaining the service for rural communities, and how they can be a model to other rural communities.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Feb 24, 2026 - Describes workforce shortages in rural Colorado and a rural-focused program in the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz School of Medicine aiming to reduce those shortages. Highlights the programs attention to rural training and preparing students for family medicine.
Source: The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Feb 10, 2026 - The Teledermatology Serving Georgia program offers primary care providers hands-on training in dermatology procedures. The project will lead to timely interventions and improved patient outcomes, especially for those living in rural and medically underserved areas.
Source: Jagwire
Feb 2, 2026 - Announces a new learning network from the National Academy for State Health Policy offering state level officials a forum for sharing approaches for strengthening rural primary care systems. Discussions will include recent relevant federal policy, workforce, facilities, funding, technology, and administration. Includes an interest form to learn more.
Source: National Academy for State Health Policy
Jan 9, 2026 - Baylor University has conducted a scoping review of rural nursing workforce recruitment and retention programs across the U.S., to address shortages of registered nurses. The study highlights what is being done to support the nurses' rural communities, and which strategies work best.
Source: Baylor College of Medicine

