Rural Health
News by Topic: Social determinants of health
Oct 22, 2019 - Explores poverty in rural Michigan, which is attributed to a lack of education and job opportunities as well as a shrinking and aging population. Includes data identifying the disadvantages faced in rural counties compared to urban counties.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Oct 21, 2019 - Summarizes a report from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine describing five ways providers can address social determinants of health. Strategies include being aware of social risks of patients, adjusting their care, connecting patients with assistance activities, pursuing an alignment strategy to assess social care, and advocate for social care policies.
Source: HealthLeaders Media
Oct 10, 2019 - Features CommWell Health's Positive Life program in North Carolina, aimed at addressing rural residents' social conditions to keep them healthy. By offering transportation, housing support, appointment reminders, and more, the program allows HIV-positive patients to focus on their health instead of social and financial barriers they face in daily life.
Source: North Carolina Health News
Oct 2, 2019 - Highlights a Rural Health Clinic in Manchester, Kentucky and the food pantry they created for patients with limited access to food. Includes other programs around the country tackling high rates of food insecurity in their communities.
Source: Advent Health
Sep 13, 2019 - Discusses a Government Accountability Office report on how some states are trying to reduce Medicaid spending for high-risk populations by focusing on care coordination and addressing social determinants of health. Challenges to successful cost reduction include an inability to contact beneficiaries, lack of transportation, and staff shortages in rural areas in particular. (May require subscription to view full article.)
Source: Modern Healthcare
Sep 3, 2019 - A recent study published in Health Affairs examined whether offering discounts on the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables increased buyer behavior for rural low-income populations in Maine.
Source: HealthLeaders Media