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The Rural Monitor
Features

In-depth stories examining key rural health issues.

Informal Caregiving and Technology in Rural America

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.

It's Possible: Voluntary Accreditation for Rural Public Health Departments

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.

CDFIs 'Make Dreams Come True' by Creating Opportunity in Rural Spaces

December 4, 2019
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can offer flexible financing options, but many operate at full capacity and there is a general lack of awareness of these institutions in rural spaces. Foundation and CDFI leaders share their perspectives about the difference CDFIs can make on rural health outcomes.

Diagnosing the Rural COPD Patient: Ask About Symptoms, Use Spirometry

November 20, 2019
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute calculates that 3.5 million rural Americans have COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It's also estimated that hundreds of thousands of rural Americans have the condition and don't know it. Though it is a condition without a cure, it is a condition with hope. The COPD Foundation's Chief Science Officer and a State Captain share how asking questions and doing spirometry can help diagnose the condition.

NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Involving Rural America in Research

October 23, 2019
A new diagnosis of cancer? Of a rare disease? Or a chronic medical problem with seemingly no new treatment? The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences is supporting investigators and ensuring that their cutting-edge science gets to the people who need it. Translational science teams in Arkansas, Florida and Washington are making that happen in the rural areas of their states.

Enhancing Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Patients in Rural America

October 9, 2019
Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind people in rural communities may struggle to access healthcare due to a lack of interpreters as well as providers' misunderstanding of their culture and communication needs. A Michigan clinic hires ASL-fluent staff and provides telemental health, a New Jersey state division provides deaf sensitivity training, and a Colorado program brings interpreters to rural communities.