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The Rural Monitor
Articles by State: Minnesota

For more information and resources, see the Minnesota state guide.

Preventing Farmer Suicides through Helplines and Farm Visits

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.

Strengthening the Workforce to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes in Rural Areas

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.

Rural Unintentional Injuries: They're Not Accidents – They're Preventable

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.

Feasting on Rural America: The Spread of Tick-Borne Diseases

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.

Bringing Law and Medicine Together to Help Rural Patients

October 19, 2016
Much of a person's health is determined by social and environmental factors such as housing or access to healthcare. When these factors negatively affect a person's health, legal intervention combined with medical care may be the best treatment.

An Interview with John Halfen, M.D.

August 20, 2014
Halfen, the Medical Director of Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minn., discusses the challenges of transitioning to a patient centered medical home model.