RHIhub This Week - August 12, 2026
As an information clearinghouse on rural health issues, RHIhub provides access to a wide range of resources on relevant topics. Inclusion on RHIhub does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the contents by RHIhub or the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Upcoming Webinar
Planning with Purpose: Leveraging FORHP's Rural Health Network Development Planning Program for Lasting Community ImpactJoin us next Thursday, August 20, at 1:00 p.m. Central to hear from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) about the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program and former grantees about their experiences with the program. Learn how grantees have leveraged funding to strengthen partnerships, build organizational infrastructure, and improve access to care in rural communities. Register today! |
Rural Healthcare WorkforceOur recently updated topic guide highlights healthcare workforce challenges faced by rural communities. Explore statistics and resources on healthcare workforce shortages, provider distribution, shortage-area designations, and learn about policies, strategies, and programs designed to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce. |
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Go NAPSACCGo NAPSACC is a web-based program helping early care and education programs improve children's health. |
Recently Added to the Online Library |
Aug 10, 2026 -- Discusses the MAT Mobile Clinic in Iowa, a mobile unit offering both medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders and wraparound services to improve recovery outcomes. The mobile unit improves access to treatment in rural communities, builds the knowledge base of local providers, and addresses stigma associated with substance use. Source: Iowa Stories Portable Eye Exam Equipment Aims to Reduce Barriers in Rural Healthcare Aug 10, 2026 -- Highlights a redesign of traditional eye exam equipment that is portable. The equipment was developed at the Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine to make comprehensive eye exams more accessible in rural communities and allow for collaboration with specialists. Source: Texas A&M Stories FY2027 Urban and Rural Rates – Telecommunications (Telecom) Program Aug 7, 2026 -- Announces guidance regarding rural telecommunication rates for the Rural Health Care Program through the Federal Communications Commission. Source: Universal Service Administrative Co. Pa. Pediatricians Want to Help Improve Child Literacy Rates by 'Prescribing' Books at Health Visits Aug 7, 2026 -- Describes a book prescription program that is expanding across Pennsylvania, including into rural areas. The program includes a book at each checkup and aims to improve literacy, promote brain development, and build trust between pediatricians and families. Source: 90.5 WESA UM-Providence Partnership Targets Improving Healthcare for Rural Kids Aug 6, 2026 -- Describes a telehealth pilot program in Montana to address rural child abuse by connecting rural providers with training, resources, and referrals to medical providers who have specialized training in child abuse care. Discusses the lifelong health, wellness, and economic challenges that can be avoided through early intervention. Source: University of Montana News Telehealth Program Doubles Rural Veterans' Access to Mental Healthcare Aug 4, 2026 -- Summarizes recent research finding that the first 5 years of the Veterans Affairs Clinical Resource Hubs program saw increased use of telemental health services among rural veterans. The study also found a shift in care delivery from clinic-based video visits to video visits in patients' homes. Source: VA Health Systems Research News |
Grants to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to create and expand businesses and full-time employment opportunities in communities with persistent poverty and high unemployment. Priority points will be given to projects that create jobs in rural communities and counties of persistent poverty. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Sep 8, 2026 Sponsors: Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rural Housing Preservation Grants (Section 533) Grants to organizations that work to rehabilitate and preserve affordable housing occupied by rural, low-income individuals. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Sep 8, 2026 Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Housing Service Health Care Scholars United Scholarships for students currently pursuing a degree or certificate in a clinical health profession. Students seeking careers in rural health are a priority. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Application Deadline: Sep 18, 2026 Sponsor: Scholarship America USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program Offers direct USDA loans and/or grants to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities for healthcare, public safety, education, and public services in rural areas. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program Funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees A loan guarantee program that helps private lenders provide affordable financing to qualified borrowers to improve access to clean, reliable water and waste disposal systems for households and businesses in rural areas. Geographic coverage: Nationwide Applications accepted on an ongoing basis Sponsors: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development |
Presents a study exploring non-geographic factors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals that facilitate or impede access to care for rural veterans. Compares hospital complexity, number of veteran enrollees, and average drive times by percentage of rural veterans served by the 110 VHA hospitals surveyed. Author(s): Alexandra B. Caloudas, Michihiko Goto, M. Bryant Howren, et al. Location: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70195 Date: 08/2026 Bridging Gaps in Acute Care Access for Rural Veterans: The Reach and Impact of VA's Virtual Emergency and Urgent Care Programs Examines how the Veterans Health Administration's (VA) tele-emergency care (TEC) and virtual care visits (VCV) programs influenced short-term care utilization, mortality and other health outcomes, and costs among rural veterans, using Jan 2022-Sept 2024 national call center data linked with VA administrative and community care records. Author(s): Anita A. Vashi, Linda Diem Tran, Tracy Urech, Allison Engstrom Buggaveeti, Liam Rose Location: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70197 Date: 08/2026 Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Guide for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources. Additional links: Infographic Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group Date: 07/2026 Evaluation of a Minigrant Program for Multilevel Interventions to Promote Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Rural Communities in Georgia Examines 4 health department minigrant programs related to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in rural communities. Analyzes program results according to reach of patients, intervention levels, HPV vaccination effectiveness, implementation barriers, and sustainability. Author(s): Cam Escoffery, Courtney Petagna, Rithika Chari, et al. Location: Preventing Chronic Disease, 23 Date: 08/2026 Health Care Access, Preventive Care, and Affordability Among Rural Adults With Cardiometabolic Conditions: Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability. Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera Location: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15 Date: 07/2026 Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual Provides information on Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) current and future scope of project decisions and requests. Consolidates project policies, clarifies program oversight and decision-making, facilitates correct procedures and accountability, and simplifies forms and requirements. Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care Date: 08/2026 HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau: Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Initiative Data Report 2024 Reports on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program's Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, which supports expanded programs and services to people who are not receiving regular HIV care or are unaware of their HIV status. Covers program activities, services funded, program administration, and populations served. Discusses providers, programs, and factors influencing access to care in rural areas. Sponsoring organization: HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau Date: 08/2026 Integrating Physical and Behavioral Health: Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders with Chronic Physical Illnesses Report details the way physical and behavioral healthcare integration can support patients with co-occurring behavioral health disorders and chronic physical issues. Discusses the different levels of care integration, evidence-based approaches, and established models for care integration in different settings. Highlights a rural health clinic-based telepsychiatry model in South Carolina. Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Date: 08/2026 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): Small Practice Countdown to 2026 Performance Year (PY) Data Submission Checklist outlining the steps small practices must follow to submit Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2026 performance year data. Highlights key dates and links to key resources for small practices. Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Date: 08/2026 MVP Transition Toolkit for Small Practices Zip file download, provides resources for small practices that participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) to support the transition from traditional MIPS reporting to MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) reporting. Includes an MVP Transition Guide for Small Practices and a Measure Mapping Tool. Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Date: 08/2026 Pediatric Considerations in Disasters for Resource-Constrained and Rural Settings A collection of 10 modules on topics affecting children in disasters, focusing on rural and other resource-constrained settings. Includes videos, case-based learning, exercises, and e-books. Sponsoring organization: Pediatric Pandemic Network Reimagining Rural Maternal and Child Health Describes Rural Health Transformation Program efforts in 6 states addressing maternal and child health through workforce recruitment and retention, technology and regional hubs, and integrated care models. Sponsoring organization: National Governors Association Date: 08/2026 The Role of Rurality on Self-Reported Sleep and Cognition in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Preliminary Study Presents a study aiming to understand the way rurality impacts the relationship between sleep and cognition in aging adults. Breaks down participants' self-reported sleep, objective cognition, working memory, and executive function, among other measures, and compares rates of individuals from rural and non-rural areas. Author(s): Madison Musich, Amy N. Costa, Puja Halder, et al. Location: Rural and Remote Health, 26(3), 10695 Date: 08/2026 Rural Background, Training Exposure, and Rural Practice Location Among US Physicians Research letter exploring the interdependence between recruiting students from rural backgrounds and providing exposure to rural settings during undergraduate and graduate medical education training. Uses data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) 2022 National Sample Survey of Physicians. Author(s): Xiaochu Hu, Davis G. Patterson, Sarah S. Conrad, Qian Luo, Michael J. Dill Location: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2625481 Date: 08/2026 Rural Health Curriculum in Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs: A Narrative Review Evaluates 93 Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses and initiatives to determine how rural health is integrated into course curricula. Includes analysis of course or initiative length, population focus, and states where courses are located. Discusses rural in larger population health training contexts, training methods, and implications for training the rural nursing workforce. Author(s): Kyanna Harris, Hilary N. Touchett, Alexandra Caloudas, Kelley Arredondo Location: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3) Date: 08/2026 Rural Residence and Postsurgical Outcomes Among Medicare Beneficiaries Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023. Author(s): Cody Lendon Mullens, Adrian Diaz, Brooke C. Bredbeck, et al. Location: JAMA Network Open, 9(8), e2626959 Date: 08/2026 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: 2024 Highlights from the 2024 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), which provides single-year median household income and poverty statistics. Includes county-level maps showing income and poverty rates in 2024 and changes from 2023 to 2024 for the total population and children. Additional links: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: 2024 Report Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau Date: 08/2026 Teledentistry in Health Centers: Promising Practices for Increasing Access to Oral Health Care Highlights several promising practices using teledentistry to increase oral health access. Explores how five different programs in urban areas, and one in rural South Dakota, are using teledentistry via health centers to address workforce shortages and expand oral health access. Sponsoring organization: National Network for Oral Health Access Date: 07/2026 |
Deadline: Aug 19, 2026 National Council for Mental Wellbeing Event Dates: Apr 12 - 14, 2027 New Orleans, LA Conference Website Call for Proposals: 2027 Colorado Rural Healthcare Conference Deadline: Nov 20, 2026 Colorado Rural Health Center Event Dates: Apr 14 - 16, 2027 Englewood, CO Conference Website |
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