Allee Mead is a web writer for the Rural Health Information Hub. She has written on important rural issues, including maternal mortality and farmers' mental health, and has presented nationally on RHIhub's opioid resources. Originally from rural North Dakota, she has a master's degree in English. Full Biography
July 24, 2019
CAPABLE is a national model that connects low-income seniors with an occupational therapist, registered nurse, and home repair services. Program coordinators from Hawaii and Maine share their successes and the challenges of helping rural residents age safely in place.
May 15, 2019
Difficult economic conditions have caused many farmers to experience high levels of stress and a sense of hopelessness about saving their business and way of life. The Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline and NY FarmNet are working to improve farmers' mental health and prevent suicides.
February 6, 2019
Peer support specialists are trained laypeople in recovery with a mental health condition or substance use disorder who act as mentors and coordinators for clients with similar behavioral health issues. PSSs in rural Arizona, Michigan, and North Dakota share the challenges and successes they see in their communities.
December 5, 2018
The MU AHEC Rural Track Pipeline Program in Missouri prepares its medical students and residents for rural practice through a lecture series, rural clerkships, and a community integration project.
October 3, 2018
On average, rural residents wait twice as long for emergency medical services than urban residents. Stop the Bleed is a trauma training initiative that teaches laypeople how to pack wounds and apply tourniquets in order to improve survival rates until medical attention arrives.
July 11, 2018
Obstetric services were available in 205 fewer rural hospitals in 2014 than in 2004. Realizing the importance of maternity and childbirth services, a CAH in Alaska works to keep its providers' skills sharp and a rural OB-GYN residency program in Wisconsin is beginning to train a new generation of physicians.
June 13, 2018
The Oregon Washington Health Network and the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center are addressing behavioral health challenges through peer counselors and heart disease/cancer prevention through community education. In addition, they're collaborating with local healthcare facilities and medical schools to improve recruitment and retention.
May 30, 2018
Super-utilizers are those patients who are hospitalized multiple times each year and, due to circumstances outside their control, are unable to make the changes needed to keep them out of the ER. Three rural Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are working on reducing these readmissions and improving their super-utilizers' health.
February 21, 2018
Miners in rural New Mexico may forego care when they have to drive a long distance to see a primary care provider or specialist. The New Mexico Mobile Screening Program for Miners travels to 12 locations in the state to bring needed care to patients.