https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/new Resources, reports, and other documents on rural health topics from a variety of sources, with information provided via the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://fedcommunities.org/innovation-collaboration-help-drive-access-capital-rural-communities/ Discusses the role of nonprofits and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) in securing capital funding to support rural communities. Highlights several capital funding resources for rural communities. -- Fed Communities https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27956 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.flexmonitoring.org/sites/flexmonitoring.umn.edu/files/media/state-medians-2024data_report-final_2026.pdf Presents state and national median values of 30 financial indicators included in the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS). Provides an overview of each measurement and reports median values by state. Indicators represent seven areas of financial performance: profitability, liquidity, capital structure, revenue, cost, utilization, and other. -- Flex Monitoring Team https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27955 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://ldh.la.gov/page/rhtp-funding-opportunities Lists funding opportunities available through the Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help implement Louisiana's approved RHTP initiatives and activities. -- Louisiana Department of Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27954 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://iira.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RB8_6-Healthy-Aging-in-Illinois-Metro-vs.-Nonmetro.pdf Examines factors contributing to healthy aging in Illinois according to metro versus nonmetro county. Utilizes 2024 data from the American Community Survey and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and provides county rankings for healthy aging. -- Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27953 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://journals.lww.com/familyandcommunityhealth/fulltext/2026/09000/exploring_associations_between_well_being,_mental.6.aspx Explores the role social capital plays in supporting mental health and well-being in rural communities. Bases findings on surveys collected from residents of 6 rural counties in Georgia. Breaks down findings by rates of mental health and well-being by dimension of social capital: trust, diversity of interactions, reciprocity, civic engagement, and voting. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27952 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/204767357ea398430c8862ca4a52505c/Rural%20Hospital%20IB.pdf Examines determinants leading to rural hospital closures or conversion to outpatient-only facilities. Provides data on hospital closures and conversions from 2012 to 2023 and analyzes potential determinants such as inpatient occupancy rates, ownership type, proximity to an urban county, profit margin, and more. -- HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27951 Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGoZLn6NrfY A recorded meeting focused on transit facility grants and how to manage facilities that support safe and reliable transit it tribal communities. Provides information on funding requirements and strategies for successful project implementation. Transcript available below description. -- National Association of Development Organizations https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27950 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://rhrco.org/key-staffing-considerations-2/ Describes key considerations to developing staffing plans for Rural Emergency Hospitals that balance operational needs and workforce stability. -- Rural Health Redesign Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27949 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOPxw6WV2czSCpB9UnWSww7q_lXIJ5JsJ Video series highlighting rural hospitals that successfully transitioned to Rural Emergency Hospital status and assistance that was provided by the REH Technical Assistance Center during the transition. -- Rural Health Redesign Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27948 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.nga.org/publications/governors-policy-actions-in-rural-health-workforce/ Describes policy actions taken by governors to advance healthcare career pathways, education and training, and recruitment and retention, as well as policies related to licensure and scope of practice. Includes examples from state Rural Health Transformation Program project narratives. -- National Governors Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27947 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ncha.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Economic_Impact_NC_Hospitals_RTI_2026_Report.pdf Reports on the statewide and regional economic contributions of 113 hospitals across North Carolina. Features statistics including number of hospitals by county designation and number of beds, with breakdowns by nonmetropolitan, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas. -- North Carolina Healthcare Association https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27946 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70166 Discusses leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy among rural and urban populations. Utilizes data from 374 pregnant women regarding their LTPA and related environmental support for LTPA in the first trimester with data broken down according to demographics as well as urban, micropolitan, or small town rural location. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27945 Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.kff.org/medicaid/a-look-at-new-or-expanded-medicaid-and-public-health-partnerships-from-2025-findings-from-a-survey-of-state-medicaid-programs/ Identifies themes from a survey of state Medicaid directors regarding new or expanded public health initiatives that were implemented in fiscal year (FY) 2025 or planned for FY 2026. Summarizes initiatives related to maternal and child health, child and youth mental health, opioid use disorder (OUD), lead screening, infectious disease, and workforce. Describes rural-related initiatives and examples throughout. -- KFF https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27944 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/75/wr/mm7518a2.htm Reports findings from a survey of 638 backyard bird flock owners regarding their knowledge of signs and symptoms of avian influenza in humans and birds and intentions to use personal protective equipment if in contact with potentially infected birds. Includes data on the characteristics of the flock owners and flocks by urban, suburban, and rural setting. -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27943 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/RHRC_PBMAY2026_YBHSUM_Graves.pdf Compiles findings from 9 reports on youth behavioral health in the rural U.S. Describes prevalence of behavioral health conditions, the youth behavioral health workforce, behavioral health licensure and reimbursement policy, and provision of youth behavioral health services. Features statistics with breakdowns by 7 levels of population density. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27942 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://ghpc.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000R09V2obu8oI/G0000Cy6apJKEONI/I0000TmRk7L0h3dk/Transforming-Rural-Health-Strategies-from-the-FieldRural-Telehealth-pdf A brief that discusses telehealth access, policy considerations, and barriers for rural communities, such as lack of digital infrastructure. Provides strategies for integrating telehealth into healthcare delivery models, initiating collaborative opportunities, and building digital access points in rural communities. -- Georgia Health Policy Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27941 Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-monitor/intersect-program Features a program at Arbor Family Health in Louisiana that connects chronic disease patients with nurse health coaches and clinical pharmacists. Shares how pharmacy faculty and students from the Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy conduct annual comprehensive medication reviews by phone. -- Rural Health Information Hub https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27935 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.kff.org/medicare/what-to-know-about-medicare-coverage-of-telehealth/ Discusses telehealth use by Medicare patients before, during, and after declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Notes temporary telehealth provisions set to expire December 31, 2027, telehealth provisions made permanent, and trends in use since 2020. Includes rural and urban comparisons of telehealth use since 2020. Discusses payment models for Medicare and Medicare Advantage, current policies related to telehealth, program integrity, and the cost of coverage through Medicare. -- KFF https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27932 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70164 Presents a study exploring economic security as a social determinant of health for rural children. Compares rates of economic security for rural and urban children by three different measures: housing instability, food insecurity, and income inadequacy. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27933 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2026/MA_Plan_Quality_Scores.pdf Examines quality of care in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by geography, region, and plan type. Analyzes average ratings of 2019-2023 MA plans on a 1-5 star rating scale according to metro, micro, or noncore rural location. Provides additional data on MA enrollments by rural concentration of contracts as well as star ratings by benchmark quartile and quality bonus capping. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27934 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-03/2026-MIPS-Eligibility-Decision-Tree.pdf?VersionId=R3F.am1xiht3JyGeCn7NIuT9.QdAmAag Presents information to determine if providers are eligible to participate in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in the 2026 Performance Year. Includes information on the low-volume threshold criteria. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27936 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.ntia.gov/data/explorer Interactive tool displaying data from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Internet Use Survey on internet use, device use, non-use of the internet at home, household connectivity, and online activities nationally and by state. Includes options to present data as a map, chart, table, or fact sheet. Presents the option to view data by state and demographic characteristics, such as age group, employment status, and population density (metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and non-MSA status). -- National Telecommunications and Information Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27937 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2848983 Results of a study examining rural-urban differences in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality trends. Uses data from HCC diagnoses from 2001-2022 and deaths from 2007-2022, and features demographics and statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural counties. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27939 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/digital-innovations-community-health-centers-ai-ambient-scribing-rural-health-care Describes how artificial intelligence (AI) ambient scribing technology is used in community health centers and its potential implications for rural and frontier health centers. Covers the documentation experience, impact on comprehensive care, and patient experience. -- Commonwealth Fund https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27940 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/RHRC_DBMAY2026_LA_BH_Woolcock.pdf Offers maps and tables of the supply and distribution of behavioral health clinicians in Louisiana in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27921 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1783076/full Examines the feasibility of utilizing a food insecurity screening tool to identify hypertension patients in a Kentucky hospital system needing medically tailored meals (MTM) or grocery prescription (Rx). Provides rural versus urban program comparisons, with data on clinical results as well as qualitative feedback from participants. Discusses the screening tool's effectiveness in identifying nutrition needs in both rural and urban patients. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27918 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/RHRC_DBMAY2026_LA_PC_Woolcock.pdf Offers maps and tables of the primary care workforce distribution in Louisiana in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27919 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://familymedicine.uw.edu/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/05/RHRC_DBMAY2026_LA_OB_Woolcock.pdf Offers maps and tables of the obstetricians and advanced practice midwives workforce distribution in Louisiana in 2025. Includes county-level data and rural and urban comparisons. -- WWAMI Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27920 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://ghpc.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000HY2QMEK4WDA/G0000n3iaX5I5pCo/I0000Z4R6xf9TVfE/Transforming-Rural-Health-Workforce-pdf A brief providing strategies for addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages. Discusses how healthcare facilities can use workforce pathways and other training and education programs to improve workforce availability. -- Georgia Health Policy Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27924 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://telehealthcoe.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/MUSC-Telehealth-Rural-Hospital-Playbook_2026-01_d.pdf Provides hospital leaders with strategies to foster telehealth partnerships within health systems to improve rural hospital financial sustainability, clinical capacity, and long-term viability. Discusses rural hospital strain as well as the economic, community, and population health value of rural hospitals and how telehealth partnerships can mitigate financial issues and create sustainability. Includes a telehealth partnership maturity model, practical framework, and rural hospital implementation considerations. -- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) - Telehealth Center of Excellence https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27925 Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500