July 10, 2019
Considered social determinants of health, social isolation and loneliness impact health. The University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center's Deputy Director, Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith, explains how these determinants impact rural Americans based on information from her team's recent studies.
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.
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.
February 6, 2019
Peer support specialists are trained laypeople in recovery with a mental health condition or substance use disorder who act as mentors and coordinators for clients with similar behavioral health issues. PSSs in rural Arizona, Michigan, and North Dakota share the challenges and successes they see in their communities.
November 28, 2018
Scott County, Indiana, has been in the national spotlight since experiencing the largest HIV outbreak in rural America's recent history. The town's only physician at the time, Dr. William Cooke, took action to bring healing and hope to his community of Austin and the surrounding county. In this Q&A, he shares the motivation behind his compassionate approach to care.
September 5, 2018
As more federal dollars are directed toward the opioid crisis, three communities use grant funds for treatment and recovery care coordination in court, prisons, and the homes of new moms.
August 22, 2018
USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett shares perspectives on healthcare needs and healthcare delivery challenges from information gained as she travels rural America.
July 25, 2018
The connection between bullying and youth suicide in rural Union Parish, Louisiana, led a Critical Access Hospital to create an anti-bullying program. Together with local law enforcement, they teach students in elementary through high school the negative effects of peer victimization and how to model positive social behavior.
June 13, 2018
The Oregon Washington Health Network and the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center are addressing behavioral health challenges through peer counselors and heart disease/cancer prevention through community education. In addition, they're collaborating with local healthcare facilities and medical schools to improve recruitment and retention.
March 21, 2018
An important aspect of the opioid crisis is opioid use disorder. This in-depth story focuses on the science behind the disorder and the use of an evidence-based treatment: MAT, or medication-assisted treatment.
