Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Wellness, health promotion, and disease prevention - Rural Health Information Hub

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Public Comment Request; Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338-Revision

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "Healthy Start Evaluation and Quality Improvement, OMB No. 0915-0338—Revision." Proposed revisions include changes to clarifying instructions, updating response options to improve accuracy in reporting, and adding fields to capture the month of infant birth and/or death. Comments are due by November 12, 2026.

HHS: Announcing Solicitation of Written Comments To Inform the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition Supplement: 2027 Steps and Muscle-Strengthening Guidance

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments to inform the development of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition Supplement: 2027 Steps and Muscle-Strengthening Guidance. Specifically, HHS seeks comments regarding existing high-quality, evidence-based reports, programs, or campaigns related to steps and/or muscle-strengthening physical activity and related positive health outcomes. Comments are due by November 12, 2026.

HHS Launches Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit Program to Support Mothers and Babies

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit in West Virginia. The program aims to offer families supplies and information in the days following delivery of a baby. One goal of the program is to reach rural and other medically underserved families.

HRSA Awards More Than $525 Million to Strengthen and Expand Evidence-Based Home Visiting Services Nationwide

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces awarded funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program which offers home visiting services for improved outcomes during pregnancy and early childhood. Notes that the program reaches families where services are more limited, including in rural communities.

FNA: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: State of Nebraska SNAP Demonstration Project

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) seeking comments on a demonstration project proposed by Nebraska that would test changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that may improve the delivery of SNAP benefits to raise levels of nutrition among eligible households. If approved, Nebraska would amend the SNAP definition of food for purchase to exclude "soda, soft drinks, and energy drinks" with a proposed implementation date of December 1, 2026, and exclude "candy" with a proposed implementation date of March 1, 2027. Nebraska's full request is available on the FNA website. Comments are due by November 2, 2026.

How Libraries Are Bringing Heart-Health Resources to Rural Communities

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the work of libraries to connect rural and tribal communities with tools and education promoting heart health through the American Heart Association's Libraries with Heart initiative. Discusses rural heart health risk and highlights how the program has been implemented in Florida, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

ODMHSAS Launches "You Good?" 988 Campaign Ahead of Suicide Prevention Month

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces a new suicide prevention campaign in Oklahoma designed to reach certain groups with high rates of suicide including rural residents, tribal residents, older adults, veterans, and middle-aged men.

Researchers Work to Address Alzheimer's and Dementia in Rural Communities

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the work of 3 Minnesota-based researchers to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) in rural communities. Highlighted projects focus on tribal communities, overcoming barriers to exercise, and identifying innovative work in the ADRD space already happening in rural communities.

HHS: Request for Information: Categories Used in Federal Vaccine Recommendations and the Role of Shared Clinical Decision-Making

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking comments on the adequacy of the categories currently used in federal vaccine recommendations: routine (universal) recommendations, risk-based recommendations, and recommendations based on shared clinical decision-making. HHS also seeks comments on the considerations that should be relied upon in setting vaccine recommendations. Comments are due by September 20, 2026.

Automated Phone Counseling Program for Rural Areas Helps More than 30 Percent of Participants Meet National Exercise Guidelines

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights recent research describing a successful automated phone counseling program aiming to increase physical activity among residents in 6 rural Alabama counties. Notes that increased exercise can positively impact rural health disparities.

Mississippi Study Examines Value of Food as Medicine, Invests in Local Farms

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a study in progress investigating the impact of a food as medicine program on health outcomes in the rural Mississippi Delta. Also discusses the way the study is positively impacting area farmers through investments in the local food production economy. Notes that preliminary study outcomes are positive, but full results will not be ready until the study concludes in 2027.