In-depth stories examining key rural health issues.
July 15, 2020
Advance care planning — planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis — has always been intended for all people, all ages, with or without a chronic disease. Clinicians talk about the challenges of these conversations now that COVID-19 has nudged planning from the realm of the theoretical future to current reality.
June 17, 2020
It is the most costly of chronic medical conditions. Described by some as "hidden" conditions, experts talk about the complex needs of rural Americans with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias and their caregivers.
June 3, 2020
Vaping among teens is on the rise, and rural teenagers have little access to cessation programs. California-based Being Adept and two Tennessee counties are helping their students learn how vaping negatively impacts their health while My Life, My Quit is helping teens in 18 states quit.
April 29, 2020
COVID-19 physical distancing measures impact vulnerable populations, including rural children experiencing maltreatment and those living in situations of intimate partner violence. Clinicians and other experts said community awareness, frank discussions, and changing service delivery approaches can make a difference.
April 8, 2020
In the past five years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has delivered two reports to Congress concerning traumatic brain injury. Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are common. With perspectives gained from their varied roles, five experts share information on concussions in rural America.
March 11, 2020
Libraries in South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington work to improve their communities' health by providing monthly programs and teaching patrons and staff how to access reliable health information online.
January 29, 2020
Recent research has found that not only are nearly 40% of surveyed physicians burned out, but 40% are also experiencing depression. For many reasons — stigma among them — these professionals are not getting mental health support. Physician health programs, in collaboration with professional societies, are trying to change that by working with state licensure boards and other groups.
January 22, 2020
National research has revealed it and rural research suggests it: over 40% of today's physicians are burned out. This in-depth story reviews information about burnout in healthcare professions and for physicians in particular. Along with reviewing causes and impact, a medical school wellness-advocate, a researcher, and a large healthcare organization with a rural footprint shared interventions and solutions.
January 8, 2020
As people are living longer and trying to find solutions to delay the expense of long-term care or nursing facilities, family members, including adult children, are increasingly becoming informal, unpaid caregivers. Learn how technology may be a solution to help rural caregivers, what some of the challenges and opportunities are, and read about a current model that has the potential to change the landscape.
December 18, 2019
With national standards now available for voluntary accreditation, rural public health departments need to determine the feasibility of that activity for their organization. The Public Health Accreditation Board President and CEO joins researchers and experts to share information about accreditation and how rural health departments can achieve that designation.
