Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Health conditions - Rural Health Information Hub

Doctors Work to Address Access to Trauma Care for Rural Residents

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a hospital network reorganization to better address trauma care access in rural Tennessee. Highlights the improved mortality outcomes and how the hub-and-spoke model could be implemented in other rural regions.

Local Response Can Save Rural Farmers' Lives

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses risks associated with farming, prevention measures, and how emergency medical services can save lives. Highlights how access to EMS can be challenging for rural areas and the importance of volunteers for maintaining services.

Portable Eye Exam Equipment Aims to Reduce Barriers in Rural Healthcare

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a redesign of traditional eye exam equipment that is portable. The equipment was developed at the Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine to make comprehensive eye exams more accessible in rural communities and allow for collaboration with specialists.

CDC: Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on a proposed information collection request titled "HIV Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) Program: Data Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation." The information collection will be used to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of the CDC HIV CBA program and provide feedback to support continuous quality improvement. Comments are due by October 5, 2026.

Hospitals Can Close Rural Cancer Care Gaps Through New American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation Category

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.

Community Pharmacy Partnership Expands Heart Failure Care Across Rural Regions

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a heart failure care program in rural West Virginia pharmacies. The program includes care coordination between local pharmacists and cardiovascular specialists to support consistent care and identify medication-related concerns early for rural patients.

Pay Attention to Farm Injury Risks Throughout the Year

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights farm safety risks for both workers and non-working people such as children and other farm family members. Notes the economic impact of agricultural injuries.

HHS: HHS Request for Comment on the Update to the National Plan To Address Alzheimer's Disease

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments to inform the future direction of federal efforts to accelerate scientific progress and improve support for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) and their families. HHS asks for input on approaches to advance AD/ADRD research and development of new interventions to prevent and treat dementia, risk reduction strategies, early detection and diagnostic tools, and/or enhanced care, services, and supports for people living with dementia and their families, caregivers, and care partners. In addition, HHS seeks input on gaps, emerging priorities, and opportunities to strengthen coordination across federal, state, tribal, local, private sector, and community partners. Comments are due by August 15, 2026.

Rural at Heart: Making Golden Years Brighter

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the American Heart Association's Rural at Heart Initiative, a cardiovascular health rural community education program aiming to reach older adults in senior centers. Discusses the culture of rural and tribal communities and how the program helps older adults who want to age in place.

Improving Lung Cancer Screening through Community Care

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a Veterans Administration (VA) centralized process for a community care model of lung cancer screening and the impact on the timeliness of care, care fragmentation, and follow-up consultations for rural veterans. Notes that the successful pilot has led to the start of a national roll-out of the program.

Changing Lives: Low-Vision Specialist Honored for Getting Vital Services to More Veterans

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the work of a Milwaukee Veteran's Administration employee to address access to vision services for veterans, particularly those in rural areas. Notes that national statistics show low-vision service utilization is low.

Tick-Borne Allergy Explodes in Missouri

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses an increase in cases of alpha-gal syndrome in Missouri, particularly among rural residents and farmers. Notes proposed legislation that aims to improve tracking of positive cases in the state.

HHS: Termination of Three Declarations Authorizing Emergency Use of Medical Devices During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminating three declarations that authorized the emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2; personal respiratory protective devices during the COVID-19 outbreak; and medical devices, including alternative products used as medical devices. On June 29, 2026, the HHS Secretary determined that the circumstances no longer exist justifying the emergency use of these medical devices. These declarations are terminated effective December 26, 2026.

HHS: Termination of Declaration Authorizing Emergency Use of Drug and Biological Products During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) terminating the March 27, 2020, declaration authorizing the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 29, 2026, the HHS Secretary determined that the circumstances no longer exist justifying this authorization of emergency use of drugs and biological products. The termination of the declaration is effective June 29, 2027.

CDC: Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women; Notice of Charter Renewal

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the renewal of the charter of the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women (ACBCYW). The charter is renewed for two years, through June 17, 2028.

CMS: Medicare Program; CY 2027 Changes to the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System, Acute Kidney Injury Dialysis (AKI) Payment, and ESRD Quality Incentive Program

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

Rural California Libraries Become Hubs for Blood Pressure Screenings

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

52 rural libraries across California are now offering blood pressure screening tools and at-home monitoring kits. Describes high rates of high blood pressure and limited access to monitoring resources. The program is part of the American Heart Association's Libraries with Heart program.

The Appalachian Cities that Never Sleep

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses new research on sleep quality in Eastern Kentucky and its impacts on quality of life. Highlights the pervasiveness of sleep disorders, including insomnia and sleep apnea, throughout Appalachia and their associations with trauma, poverty, and other challenges common in Appalachian communities.