In-depth stories examining key rural health issues.
September 25, 2019
Vaccination rates for rural children and adolescents are lower than for their urban counterparts. A nurse practitioner in Louisiana and a former professor in Kentucky share how they've increased vaccination rates in their communities.
September 11, 2019
Healthcare workers are four times more likely to be seriously injured on the job than other professionals. Research, tools, and campaigns are equipping rural hospital leaders to better protect their employees and develop a culture of safety.
July 10, 2019
As more healthcare delivery efforts include social risk assessments, the impact of the social determinants of health is better understood. Rural clinicians, researchers, and other experts share perspectives on social isolation and loneliness.
June 26, 2019
Because private water sources are not regulated, rural residents who rely on them can be more susceptible to health risks from waterborne contaminants. Water experts and a public health professional share how they are helping rural residents keep their well water clean to avoid sickness.
June 12, 2019
The importance of quality end-of-life care in rural America can be difficult to understand until you need hospice care. A rural family shares their journey with hospice and how it helped them care for their father at the end of his life. A CAH CEO explains how hospice care intersects with the mission to provide care to the community.
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.
May 1, 2019
Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death for American Indian and Alaskan Native populations. In this article, a cancer researcher, foundation director, and medical professional share their models that engage these populations in cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
April 17, 2019
Wildfires. Child abuse. Sexual assault. The negative and ongoing effects of these experiences are the reason communities and medical providers are using an approach called trauma-informed care. This article features ways trauma is understood and treated in a rural community, a Wyoming pediatrician's clinic, and for nurses providing assault exams.
April 3, 2019
In rural America, many community members do not understand the skill level, training, and availability of the people who answer their 911 calls. The Informed Self-Determination Process helped the community of St. George, Maine learn about their EMS system and created consensus about what EMS would look like in their town.
March 6, 2019
Rural healthcare facilities must plan and prepare for a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. A tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota provide lessons in how rural providers can help ensure the safety of their patients, staff, and community in difficult circumstances.
