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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention

Apr 15, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is accepting nominations of candidates to serve as primary and alternate delegates for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee (CIIHE TAC). CIIHE TAC delegates must be elected tribal officials from a federally recognized tribe acting in their official capacity or individuals designated by an elected tribal official. There are vacancies for all Indian Health Service areas. Nomination letters are encouraged by May 18, 2026, but nominations will be accepted until all primary and alternate delegate positions are filled.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 14, 2026 - Though Vermont placed third in the 2025 America's Health Rankings, this is based on averages bolstered by a few counties that are not representative of the state's geography or its working-age population. Discusses significant gaps between various health metrics in urban and rural areas of Vermont.
Source: Compass Vermont
Apr 8, 2026 - Highlights the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit in Michigan, an event exploring the role of traditional food practices in fostering social connection and maintaining health for tribal communities.
Source: WKAR
Apr 7, 2026 - Describes a free Arkansas farmer mental health support program utilizing both telehealth and on-the-farm visits, addressing access and stigma associated with receiving mental health support. Highlights how the program was created.
Source: Delta Farm Press
Mar 30, 2026 - Describes the work of Nebraska researchers who are investigating treatment barriers and facilitators of success for rural people with addiction. Discusses the impact of both stigma and support networks in treatment.
Source: WJAG
Mar 30, 2026 - Describes the problems older adults in rural Ohio face in accessing food pantry programs they are eligible for due to transportation and mobility challenges. Notes proposed legislation that would assist food pantries with expanding food delivery services into more rural parts of their service area.
Source: The Ohio Newsroom
Mar 26, 2026 - Describes a telestroke program in Oklahoma connecting rural patients to specialty care. Discusses the funding that makes the program possible, plans to expand the program using Rural Health Transformation Program funding, and a similar program in Arkansas.
Source: KOSU, NPR
Mar 25, 2026 - Highlights work in New Hampshire, Colorado, and Maine to turn public places into gathering spaces that support community needs, promote wellness and accessibility, social programs, and more.
Source: AARP
Mar 24, 2026 - Highlights the work of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, a foundation with an interest in funding rural health projects. Describes how the Helmsley came to fund rural projects and some of the successful projects funded related to emergency care, cancer treatments, and residency programs, among other things.
Source: Newsday
Mar 24, 2026 - A new proposed California bill would create a program to provide menstrual products to female farmworkers in rural communities with high poverty rates. Discusses the lack of access to stores with hygiene products in rural areas.
Source: Imperial Valley Press