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Rural Health
News by Topic: Public health

Jul 24, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that seeks to advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. This rule proposes establishing a new baseline version of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) and updating the ONC Health IT Certification Program to enhance interoperability and optimize certification processes. The proposed rule would also implement certain provisions related to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), which would support the reliability, privacy, security, and trust within TEFCA. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for August 5, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 24, 2024 - Details efforts by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to provide rural schools with accurate air quality information. Provides an overview of the health impacts of wildfire smoke, actions individuals can take to reduce exposure during fire season, and how to stay updated on air quality information and alerts.
Source: Montana Free Press
Jul 19, 2024 - Describes a new program led by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences which will use mobile health units to expand access to contraceptives and reproductive health education to women in rural Arkansas. Provides overview of challenges affecting women in rural Arkansas, including high rates of unplanned teenage pregnancy and limited access to maternal healthcare.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Jul 18, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The role of the ACIP is to provide advice to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will lead to a reduction in the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases in the United States, and an increase in the safe use of vaccines and related biological products. Nominees will be selected based on expertise in the fields of immunization practices; immunization practices and public health, use of vaccines and other immunobiological agents in clinical practice or preventive medicine, clinical or laboratory vaccine research, assessment of vaccine efficacy and safety, or have knowledge about consumer perspectives and/or social and community aspects of immunization programs. Nominations are due by August 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 11, 2024 - Profiles Thrive Allen County, a Kansas nonprofit rural revitalization organization that recently presented a webinar focusing on how community-driven work in poor rural areas can improve local infrastructure, which in turn can promote better public health.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jul 9, 2024 - The Indian Health Service (IHS) is accepting applications for the second round of cooperative agreements for the Ending the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and Syphilis Epidemics (known as "the Syndemic") in Indian Country (ETHIC II) program. The purpose of this program is to support communities to directly increase the diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of HIV, HCV, and syphilis. Applications are due by July 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 8, 2024 - Announces $24.5 million in grants awarded to 23 tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations as part of a grant program to develop and improve access to public health services. The grant program comprises the Native Public Health Resilience Program and the Native Public Health Resilience Planning Program.
Source: Indian Health Service
Jun 28, 2024 - The American Public Health Association is seeking submissions of articles focused on partnerships and collaborations between public health and primary care to be featured in a special issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Includes details on themes of interest, including a request for submissions focused on approaches that increase access to primary care in rural and hard-to-reach settings. Submissions are due November 1, 2024.
Source: American Public Health Association
Jun 25, 2024 - Outlines new bird flu resources from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, including a hotline available in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. Notes that two cases of bird flu have been confirmed in Michigan dairy workers this year.
Source: Michigan Advance
Jun 12, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is seeking comments to guide the development of an educational campaign utilizing community health workers (CHWs) to increase the cultural and linguistic competency efforts related to public health vaccines. Includes background information and presents key questions. Comments are due by July 11, 2024.
Source: Federal Register