Rural Health
Resources by State: Alaska
Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Alaska Missed Opportunities to Protect American Indian and Alaska Native Children Missing from Foster Care
Examines the extent to which extent to which the Alaska Office of Children's Services (OCS) agency took required steps to protect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children before, during, and after children went missing or ran away from foster care. Discusses the experiences of OCS and the children's Tribes in collaborating when children are missing from foster care. Offers recommendations for how the Administration and Children and Families can support Alaska improving compliance and addressing gaps presented in this report.
Additional links: Report Highlights
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Examines the extent to which extent to which the Alaska Office of Children's Services (OCS) agency took required steps to protect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children before, during, and after children went missing or ran away from foster care. Discusses the experiences of OCS and the children's Tribes in collaborating when children are missing from foster care. Offers recommendations for how the Administration and Children and Families can support Alaska improving compliance and addressing gaps presented in this report.
Additional links: Report Highlights
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Towards Consistency for Behavioral Health Paraprofessionals - Part 1: Where We Stand — A National Landscape of BHP Formalization
Examines how states regulate, educate, and reimburse behavioral health and substance use paraprofessionals. Identifies variations in credentials, training requirements, scope of practice, and financing. Includes a set of state profiles examining how selected states have approached development and regulation of behavioral health paraprofessionals. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Hannah L. Maxey, Mykayla Moore
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, Indiana University School of Medicine
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Examines how states regulate, educate, and reimburse behavioral health and substance use paraprofessionals. Identifies variations in credentials, training requirements, scope of practice, and financing. Includes a set of state profiles examining how selected states have approached development and regulation of behavioral health paraprofessionals. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Hannah L. Maxey, Mykayla Moore
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organizations: Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, Indiana University School of Medicine
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Wastewater Respiratory Virus Surveillance in Remote Community, Alaska, USA, 2022–2024
Examines the feasibility of utilizing wastewater surveillance (WS) in rural, tribal areas of Alaska. Provides methods and results of WS for viruses and discusses barriers of WS in a location with limited surveillance infrastructure.
Author(s): Brian Lefferts, Alyssa Leary, Dana Bruden, et al.
Citation: Emerging Infectious Diseases, 32(13), 71-79
Date: 2026
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Examines the feasibility of utilizing wastewater surveillance (WS) in rural, tribal areas of Alaska. Provides methods and results of WS for viruses and discusses barriers of WS in a location with limited surveillance infrastructure.
Author(s): Brian Lefferts, Alyssa Leary, Dana Bruden, et al.
Citation: Emerging Infectious Diseases, 32(13), 71-79
Date: 2026
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Cancer in Alaska Native People, 1969-2023: 55 Year Report
Reports on cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people versus U.S. White populations, with data comparisons by age, stage, cancer site, year, and tribal health region.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Reports on cancer incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people versus U.S. White populations, with data comparisons by age, stage, cancer site, year, and tribal health region.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Alaska Native Injury Atlas, 4th Edition - Part 2: Poisoning & Suicide Attempt Injury Hospitalizations
Provides data on trends in suicide attempt and poisoning hospitalizations among Alaska Native and American Indian people in Alaska, utilizing 2018-2023 hospital admissions data. Breaks down data by Tribal Health Region, demographic group, and injury mechanism.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Provides data on trends in suicide attempt and poisoning hospitalizations among Alaska Native and American Indian people in Alaska, utilizing 2018-2023 hospital admissions data. Breaks down data by Tribal Health Region, demographic group, and injury mechanism.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Scoping Review of the Environmental and Human Health Effects of Rural Alaska Landfills
A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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A scoping review that examines the public health impact of landfills in rural and tribal areas of Alaska. Analyzes landfill contaminants, exposures, and solid waste management on disease transmission, chemical exposure, and other health issues.
Author(s): Carlye Chaney, Anita Moore-Nall, Chad Albert, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(1), 45
Date: 12/2025
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Working Across Contexts: Critical Events in Rural Teletherapy in Alaska
Explores the challenges of providing teletherapy to rural and remote communities in Alaska. Discusses the "critical events" that have shaped clinicians approaches to providing teletherapy to rural and remote patients.
Author(s): Peter L. Noon, Camille M. Booth, Edmond I. Arroyo, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25, 10336
Date: 12/2025
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Explores the challenges of providing teletherapy to rural and remote communities in Alaska. Discusses the "critical events" that have shaped clinicians approaches to providing teletherapy to rural and remote patients.
Author(s): Peter L. Noon, Camille M. Booth, Edmond I. Arroyo, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 25, 10336
Date: 12/2025
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FY 2025: HRSA's Rural Health Grants – Alaska Fact Sheet
HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy investments in Alaska in Fiscal Year 2025. Lists grant recipients, award amounts, award recipient locations, and congressional district.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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HRSA Federal Office of Rural Health Policy investments in Alaska in Fiscal Year 2025. Lists grant recipients, award amounts, award recipient locations, and congressional district.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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