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Rural Health Information Hub

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Rural Health
News by Topic: Statistics and data

May 25, 2022 - Highlights a new training program developed by scholars at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Clemson University to use data science to examine chronic illness in rural communities and communities of color. Describes the health equity courses that the program will offer, the potential for big data and artificial intelligence algorithms to identify communities in need of interventions, and the program's partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina.
Source: Medical University of South Carolina
May 24, 2022 - Summarizes a study of the availability of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in rural and urban areas, noting that counties with high populations of people with disabilities or people without insurance were less likely to have access to maximum treatment capacity with buprenorphine. Presents data from the study of 3,201 counties, noting persistent barriers to access in rural areas.
Source: Healio
May 19, 2022 - Perspective piece highlighting the work of Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT), a coalition of 6 regional Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) serving 3/4 of the persistent poverty counties in the U.S. through research, housing projects, and affordable lending in underserved rural communities. Notes that around 78% of persistent poverty counties in 2020 held that status since 1980 and that 81% of persistent poverty counties are in rural areas.
Source: Forbes
May 19, 2022 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comment on a proposed information collection titled "Understanding Economic Risk for Low Income Families: Economic Security, Program Benefits, and Decisions about Work." The primary purpose of this study is to identify the risks that federal program benefit recipients weigh when faced with an opportunity to increase earnings. The study will also explore whether different preferences are exhibited by parents with children and by persons of different races and ethnicities. Comments are due by June 21, 2022.
Source: Federal Register
May 18, 2022 - Describes the lack of mental health providers in rural areas, with 75% of rural counties having no mental health providers. Notes that Texas has the highest number of counties without providers and that Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota have the highest percentage of counties with no providers. Highlights greater lack of access to mental healthcare for Native Americans, and discusses organizations working to provide mental health services to youth in mental healthcare deserts.
Source: ABC News
May 18, 2022 - Reports on rural and urban COVID-19 infection rates for the week of May 9-15, noting a continued rise in new cases in both rural and urban areas. Provides a county-level data map, charts of infection and mortality rate trends, and state-by-state comparisons of metro and nonmetro changes in infection rates.
Source: The Daily Yonder
May 17, 2022 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extending the comment period for the draft outline for its 2022 Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan. The 2022 Environmental Justice Strategy and Implementation Plan will serve as a guide to confront environmental and health disparities and implement a multifaceted approach that will serve vulnerable populations and communities disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens. Comments are now due by June 18, 2022.
Source: Federal Register
May 12, 2022 - Describes issues related to census undercount of Native Americans living on reservations, citing estimates that the 2020 census missed nearly 6% of Native Americans living on reservations, compared to nearly 5% in 2010. Discusses the impacts of census numbers on funding for healthcare, human services, infrastructure, education, and other programs.
Source: Kaiser Health News
May 11, 2022 - Reports on COVID-19 infection and mortality rates for the week of May 2-8 in rural and urban areas, noting a 16% increase in rural infections from 2 weeks prior. Offers a county-level data map, state-by-state comparisons, and charts of infection and mortality rates over time.
Source: The Daily Yonder
May 10, 2022 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is hosting a virtual public meeting on May 19, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. The agenda will include discussions on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Includes information on how to submit public comments or request permission to make a public comment during the meeting. Registration is not required, and the meeting will be available online via a live webcast.
Source: Federal Register