Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Statistics and data - Rural Health Information Hub

Delaware Expands Payer and Provider HIE Access under RHTP

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes how Delaware is using Rural Health Transformation Program funds to improve information technology infrastructure for improved healthcare data exchange. The goal is to streamline workflows to reduce time spent on administrative tasks and increase time available for physicians and their patients. Notes that other states are also focusing on infrastructure and technology.

Where You Live Matters for Your Health and So Does How We Measure It

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights recent research discussing the impact of where a person lives on health and how 8 data sets assess social risk across health conditions, populations, and geographies.

CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

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

Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the March 9, 2026, notice regarding the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Collaborating Center for Questionnaire Design and Evaluation for the National Center for Health Statistics (CCQDER)." The information collected by the CCQDER is used to evaluate questions for optimal design as well as to provide documentation supporting the validity of NCHS and other agencies' information collections. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

HRSA Releases New MIECHV Data Showing Record Reach, Expanded Services, and Positive Outcomes for Families Nationwide

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) from the Health Resources and Services Administration. Discusses new data showing an increase in access for rural counties across the country.

Drive Time to Arkansas Hospitals for Labor and Delivery Getting Longer, Report Shows

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights new data showing increasing drive times to labor and delivery services for rural Arkansans. Discusses labor and delivery department closures in the state and how the population distribution makes offering the service challenging.

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on proposed updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) for performance year 2026. Summarizes and responds to comments received in response to the related December 10, 2025, notice. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.

CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comment on the March 9, 2026, notice regarding a proposed information collection titled "Developmental/Methodological Projects to Improve the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Related Programs." NHANES produces descriptive statistics, which measure the health and nutrition status of the general population. The purpose of these projects is to evaluate proposed survey designs, content, methods, and alternative approaches to survey activities for NHANES or National Center for Health Statistics-wide projects. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

How a Hospital Is Helping Solve a Hometown Housing Shortage

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes a rural hospital program aiming to improve workforce recruitment by increasing the community's affordable housing supply. Discusses program funding and community demographic shifts.

Census Bureau: Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; High-Frequency Surveys Program/Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Census Bureau is seeking comments on revisions to the Household Trends and Outlook Pulse Survey (HTOPS). HTOPS, a progression from the Household Pulse Survey, is designed to ensure the availability of frequent data collection for nationwide estimates on a variety of topics for a variety of subgroups of the population. The July, September, and November 2026 surveys will include content from the Household Pulse Survey, which serves as an experimental endeavor in cooperation with other federal agencies to produce near real-time data to understand the effects of current events, including health events, and other social or economic events facing the nation or a significant portion of the nation. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

Opportunities and Legal Considerations for Data Modernization Through the Rural Health Transformation Program

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights data modernization programs in state Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) plans across the country. Discusses legal concerns related to patient privacy and artificial intelligence.

New Census Tool Pinpoints Communities With Limited Access to Air Conditioning That are Most Vulnerable to Summer Heat Waves

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a new Census Bureau tool showing the distribution of homes with air conditioning at the state, county, and census tract levels. The tool can be used to identify communities at highest risk of heat exposure. Includes a national county-level map indicating households without air conditioning.

Working Draft Guidebook of Policies and Procedures for PRMR and MSR 2026

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Comments are being accepted on the Partnership for Quality Measurement's 2026 draft of the Guidebook of Policies and Procedures for Pre-Rulemaking Measure Review (PRMR) and Measure Set Review (MSR). 2026 updates include PRMR recommendations meeting structure, PRMR measure previews, MSR performance and impact analyses, public comment posting, and website enhancements. Comments are due June 21, 2026.

In Texas, Rural Nursing Homes Outperform Urban Facilities on Some Key Metrics

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Analyzes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nursing home data to compare rural and urban staffing and health inspection ratings in Texas.

Access to Higher-Level Neonatal Care Depends on Where You Live

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes rural disparities and unique risk factors leading to higher infant mortality. Highlights recent literature from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center on obstetric care access as well as efforts to reduce infant mortality rates in Maine and Montana.

SAMHSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is seeking comments on a proposed extension for methodological field tests for the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The tests will continue to examine ways to increase data quality, lower operating costs, and gain a better understanding of sources and effects of non-sampling error on NSDUH estimates. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.

CDC: Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is allowing an additional 30 days to comment on an information collections titled, "Developmental Studies to Improve the National Health Care Surveys," while it is being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

Risk of Social Isolation Among Older Adults: A County-Level View

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Almost a quarter of American adults aged 65 and older are at risk for social isolation. Highlights the variation in risk, both among states and at the county level.