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Rural Health
News by Topic: Statistics and data

Oct 26, 2026 - The Census Bureau is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is an experimental data product designed to measure household trends and outlooks, understand changes in household conditions, and respond to emerging data needs while maintaining a flexible platform for experimentation and methodological research. Comments are due by December 28, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 21, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Data Security Requirements for Accessing Confidential Data (OMB Control Number: 0930-0396)—Extension" regarding the use of and processing of applications in the standard application process (SAP) Portal to request confidential data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Comments are due November 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2026 - Announces a new interactive map from the Alaska Earthquake Center to help Alaskan coastal communities prepare for tsunamis. Notes that smaller communities have less data available and so less precise evacuation information. Community leaders can work with the Alaska Earthquake Center to update the available information.
Source: KTOO
Oct 9, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on the extension of a generic clearance to conduct qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging substance use and mental health policy issues; improve the development and quality of instruments; and ensure SAMHSA leadership, centers, and offices have recent data and information for program and policy decision-making. Comments are due by December 8, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 8, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS), which collects information on the substance use and mental health treatment facility locations, characteristics, and use of substance use and mental health treatment services. Proposed changes include revising the questionnaire's content on crisis services and faith-based organizations, and targeted clarifications to existing N-SUMHSS questionnaire items. Comments are due by December 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 5, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau extending the comment period for the September 10, 2026, proposed rule. Comments are now due November 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 2, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau announcing its intent to share business data with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the Department of Commerce. The Census Bureau will share data collected through surveys that request voluntary response and that impose no legal obligation to supply information. BEA will use select data from the Census Bureau's economic surveys to achieve efficiencies and increased accuracy in the preparation of U.S. economic statistics. The data sharing is effective October 2, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 30, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is requesting information from public health, healthcare, health information exchange, and other organizations serving rural communities on how to support secure, scalable, standards-based public health data exchange. Comments are due November 20, 2026.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Rural Health
Sep 21, 2026 - Describes disparities in buprenorphine treatment availability in rural areas despite new data showing a national increase in the medication in pharmacies and emergency departments. Discusses challenges that continue to exist in rural Pennsylvania and highlights telehealth as a tool that could support improved access to the medication.
Source: WHYY
Sep 17, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau seeking comments on Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) field tests related to self-response. The 2027 Field Test will be the first time that the ASEC supplement will be administered as a self-response mode, and will evaluate the comparability of computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) questions to internet self-response (ISR) questions and the impact of changing question wording and response categories. Comments are due by November 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register