https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/topics/wellness-health-promotion-and-disease-prevention Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention - Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/15/2026-07267/hhs-omh-call-for-nominations-for-center-for-indigenous-innovation-and-health 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38438 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.compassvermont.com/p/vermonts-health-ranking-great-for 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38434 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2026-04-08/msu-summit-explores-how-indigenous-communities-can-build-access-to-traditional-food-practices 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38419 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-life/tailgate-time-s-mental-health-resources-meet-farmers-where-they-are 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38409 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.norfolkneradio.com/news/confronting-the-unique-challenges-of-addiction-in-rural-nebraska/article_d292c345-d50c-4070-a463-eec431055995.html 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38381 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.statenews.org/section/the-ohio-newsroom/2026-03-30/how-a-proposed-bill-could-help-homebound-ohio-seniors-access-food-assistance 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38382 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.kosu.org/telemedicine-strokes-rural-oklahoma 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38372 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/livable-in-action/info-2026/places-gathering-rural-communities.html 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38368 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ivpressonline.com/news/new-california-bill-aims-to-provide-free-menstrual-products-to-rural-farmworkers/article_eec46ebf-56be-469e-9103-2a6b981b5fce.html 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38364 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.newsday.com/business/leona-helmsley-rural-health-care-t88241 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38366 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/readout-cms-convenes-first-rural-health-transformation-summit-advance-state-led-innovation Summarizes conversations at the Rural Health Transformation Summit on March 18, 2026, a meeting of state officials, experts, and federal administrators to discuss implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Plan. Discusses state program alignment with RHTP's 5 strategic goals: Make Rural America Healthy Again, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation. Notes the role of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS). https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38357 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/supporting-small-and-rural-practices-through-state-investments-primary-care Offers lessons for implementing large-scale state-based programs like the Rural Health Transformation Program based on a California program investing in primary care for small independent practices, tribal practices, and community health centers. Discusses technical assistance, timing of payments, tracking success, and collaboration to overcome measurement barriers. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38354 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/2026/03/10/missouri-hospital-medicaid-pilot-torch-program/ Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38328 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://theconversation.com/mobile-clinics-offer-a-practical-way-to-improve-health-care-access-in-maternity-care-deserts-274476 Promotes mobile clinics as a delivery model for effective maternal health outreach in rural and other communities. Highlights maternity care deserts nationally and in Florida. Discusses successful use of the model in Florida for maternity care, noting that few of the nationally tracked mobile clinics offer maternal and infant healthcare. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38327 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/04/2026-04237/board-of-scientific-counselors-national-center-for-injury-prevention-and-control-notice-of-charter The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces the charter renewal of the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (BSC, NCIPC). The charter renewal is effective for a two-year period, through January 13, 2028. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38305 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://dailyyonder.com/virtual-crisis-care-helps-rural-communities-access-mental-health-resources-in-emergencies/2026/03/02/ Highlights a virtual emergency mental health program in rural South Dakota. The program connects law enforcement responding to mental health crises with behavioral health clinicians and offers the person in crisis access to resources available in their community. Following successful implementation in South Dakota, Wyoming is piloting a similar program. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38299 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://nativenewsonline.net/health/you-are-never-alone-how-one-tribe-is-fighting-youth-suicide-with-culture-and-crisis-response/ Describes the focus on native culture as a preventive strategy for suicide and mental health crises in Lummi Nation. Discusses high rates of drug overdoses among Lummi Nation youth. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38300 Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://wach.com/news/local/health-groups-host-free-diabetes-wellness-expo-to-tackle-disparities-in-rural-communities Highlights a program in rural South Carolina offering resources and support to people with diabetes. Notes common challenges for rural residents in accessing healthcare. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38293 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://rethinkingclinicaltrials.org/news/february-19-2026-ramp-pilot-study-supports-telehealth-mind-body-program-for-rural-veterans-with-chronic-pain/ Summarizes recent research finding that multimodal, telehealth delivered mind-body and exercise interventions are effective for rural veterans experiencing chronic pain. Notes that the program could be easily accessed by rural veterans due to the use of nonclinicians. Describes planned modifications for future programs iterations. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38266 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://pccinnovation.org/news-events/rural-vulnerability-in-texas-a-structurally-differ-391 Analyzes chronic disease data to discuss health outcomes in rural Texas. Discusses ways rural health challenges are different from urban ones, noting rural-specific issues around chronic disease, access to care, broadband access, and maternal health. Highlights rural-specific strengths that can be used in healthcare innovation. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38269 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/meharry-medical-college-brings-more-care-to-rural-tennessee Describes a Tennessee university's mobile dental care program bringing access to oral care into rural communities. Notes the potential improvements on both health outcomes and the dental workforce in the area. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38263 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600