In-depth stories examining key rural health issues.
January 24, 2018
In addition to providing advice for those with potential interest in rural healthcare executive positions, four Critical Access Hospitals leaders – all under age 40 – share stories of innovation and impact on their organizations and communities.
November 29, 2017
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2017 MMWR Rural Series has featured several reports highlighting rural unintentional injuries as one of the top 5 leading causes of death. What are these "unintentional injuries"? How often are rural residents killed by them? Here's a look at the three leading causes of rural unintentional injuries.
November 1, 2017
Teens in Kentucky, Montana, and Vermont are raising awareness in their schools and communities about the dangers of tobacco. Their efforts have led to policy changes at the local and state levels.
October 18, 2017
Rural veterans may face significant challenges when pursuing careers in healthcare. Organizations like the Multi-State Collaborative on Military Credit and the Consortium of Michigan Veterans Educators are working to reduce these barriers so that veterans can better serve their communities.
October 4, 2017
What's in the air in the rural workplace? From grain dust to rock dust to hospital cleaning chemicals, all these particles have potential to cause chronic lung diseases. But, there are keys to prevention.
September 20, 2017
Studies show that the more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) one has, the higher the risk of chronic health conditions, anxiety disorders, low life potential, and even early death. A sense of urgency for early intervention spurred one western North Carolina school district and a Native American tribe in Wisconsin to act. Read more about how their programs confront ACEs and build resiliency to overcome them.
August 9, 2017
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is number 3 on the cause of death list. In rural America, it's the sole major chronic disease with increasing death rates. In May 2017, the COPD National Action Plan, a "blueprint for a multi-faceted, unified fight against the disease" was released. Rural stakeholders share perspectives of just how rural Americans with COPD might benefit from the plan's rural touchpoints.
July 26, 2017
Telehealth can be a virtual solution to reaching rural residents with healthcare, but its integration into mainstream medicine is taking longer than expected. Five leaders working to advance telehealth for rural areas articulate their thoughts on this delayed integration and the changes needed to make telehealth common practice.
July 12, 2017
Colorectal cancer stands out as a cancer with increased incidence and mortality rates in rural areas – rates that are likely influenced by lack of screening. Using different approaches, two rural healthcare organizations in Idaho and Kentucky show how they are saving lives by improving colorectal cancer screening rates in their communities.
May 17, 2017
Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses have become the most prolific zoonotic diseases in our nation. Because of their proximity to tick environments, rural areas are more susceptible. In this article, we hear from a Lyme disease patient, a scientist, psychiatrist, nonprofit leader, and a medical doctor about the spread and what's being done about it.
