News stories via the Rural Health Information Hub

Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announces the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and the associated Federal Action Plan, a plan developed by 10 federal departments. The National Strategy offers recommendations for addressing needs for at-risk populations. Highlights suicide rate disparities for various race and ethnicities. Includes links to the National Strategy, the Federal Action Plan, and other resources for mental healthcare access and substance abuse services.

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announces three rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services establishing national standards and increasing access to care. "Minimum Staffing Standards for Nursing Homes" aims to improve healthcare quality by setting minimum staffing standards for nursing staff, collecting and reporting on workforce compensation data, and offering incentives for the nurse workforce to work in nursing homes. The 2 remaining rules work together to establish national appointment wait time standards, address payment transparency, and create payment standards for workers providing home and community based services.

Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don't Meet Them.

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Offers review of a new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding staffing minimums in nursing homes. The new standard is expected to require most nursing homes to increase staff. Discusses the rural-specific timeline for meeting the standard in addition to the impact on wages, workforce shortages, and Medicaid reimbursement.

Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the role community health workers play in re-entry for recently incarcerated rural Utah residents. Discusses the role of addiction in incarceration and how the program is funded.

Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses recent research finding the shortage of primary care physicians is greater in rural areas. Includes analysis of findings by study authors, discussing rural-specific needs, Medicare reimbursement, and recruiting rural residents into healthcare.

Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a program in a rural Nebraska school addressing access to food in the community. A partnership between the school and the village offers a non-profit grocery store that is run by the students and managed by the business teacher.

Native Americans Have Shorter Life Spans, and It's Not Just Due to Lack of Health Care

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the social and economic factors contributing to early mortality for Native Americans. Highlights community health workers, food insecurity, generational trauma, and interventions attempting to reduce disparities.

Promotoras Play Essential Role in Connecting Farmworkers with Health Care in Rural NorCal

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the work of promotoras in rural Northern California including assisting eligible residents with enrolling in Medicaid. Discusses the impact of Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSAs) on healthcare access, policy, and insurance access for undocumented farmworkers.

Using Medicaid to Address Young People's Mental Health Needs in School Settings

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the need for mental health services in schools and how states around the country have used Medicaid reimbursement to fund those services. Notes recent policy changes that have made this possible and highlights challenges that remain in using Medicaid reimbursement, particularly for rural school districts.

Across the Country, Amish Populations Are on the Rise

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses population trends for Amish communities based on the need for land and healthcare. Notes that some rare genetic diseases are present in Amish populations and discusses healthcare access challenges related to insurance status and transportation. Highlights an Ohio clinic primarily treating Amish patients.

Sunsets, Wildlife and Limited Care: Challenges of Aging in Place in Rural America

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the needs of older adults in rural communities, discussing access to support services, healthcare, and social engagement.

City-Country Mortality Gap Widens amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses the mortality rate disparity between rural and urban residents following recent research showing the gap has widened to 43% in 2019 from 6% in 1999 for adults between 25 and 54. Offers analysis by experts on causes of this disparity including social vulnerability factors, community vitality, and insurance rates. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on current mortality rates.

Tribal Environmental Impact Network

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announces the Tribal Environmental Impact Network (TEIN), a cohort of professionals interested in environmental issues in tribal communities. Areas include environmental health, climate, emergency response, transportation, and more. TEIN will offer technical assistance in accessing funding opportunities. Includes an interest form for experts interested in participating.

Minnesota's Rural Ambulance Providers Look to State Capitol for Their Own Lifeline

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses challenges with offering ambulance services in rural Minnesota including reimbursement and funding models, a volunteer workforce, and large service areas.

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Support the Primary Care Workforce

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announces an increase in loan repayment amounts available through the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Notes the program aims to reduce primary care provider shortages in rural and other areas. Also highlights previous work to support the primary care workforce.

Over 3,000 Homes on the Navajo Nation Receive Accurate Addresses for the First Time

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a project to give remote homes on a Navajo Nation reservation in Utah accurate addresses. Discusses the benefits of accurate addressing for emergency response teams and for receiving in-home medical care in addition to other benefits.

Rapides Library Offers Telehealth to a Town Without Doctors

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Profiles a library in rural Louisiana offering telehealth services in an area with Primary, Dental, and Mental Healthcare Shortages. Discusses rural economic vitality including healthcare access.

Rural Population Grows for Second Consecutive Year

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights population shift trends between urban and rural places. Notes that the highest rural county gains were in those closest to metropolitan areas. Discusses current data alongside pre-pandemic patterns as well as state level trends.

Rural Infection Preventionists Need Community Support

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Describes challenges rural health systems face when fighting infectious diseases, including shortages of infectious diseases physicians, geographic isolation, and difficulties in accessing mentoring in infection prevention and control.

New Federal Health IT Strategy Sets Sights on a Healthier, More Innovative, and More Equitable Health Care Experience

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Request for comments on the draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. The Plan includes goals for promoting health and wellness, enhancing the delivery and experience of healthcare, accelerate research and innovation, and connecting health systems with health data. Objectives for achieving those goals include expanding broadband and technology access and research infrastructure for the benefit of rural residents among others. Comments can be made until May 28th.

The New Story of Old Age in Rural America: Neighbors and Community Lend a Hand

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights social engagement in rural Maine communities for older adults. Describes the community services that allow them to stay in their communities. Discusses concerns about healthcare access.

Upcoming Virtual Workshop: Partnering for Success: Building Partnerships for Health Workforce Training and Education

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announces an upcoming virtual workshop on using collaboration and partnerships for growing the health workforce. The workshop is scheduled for April 16, 2024.

New Center Focuses on Preserving Rural Rental Housing Units

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights challenges with maintaining rural rental housing in places where affordable new housing is scarce. Describes federal programs working to preserve existing rental housing.

Boys Do Cry: Rural Michigan Men Are Opening up about Mental Health

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses suicide among rural men in Michigan, noting the issues of stigma and mental healthcare access. Discusses the results of an intervention targeting men and policy measures building on those successes.

Huge $14M Donation Will Help Bring Much-Need Ultrasound Equipment To Rural Wyoming

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

A charitable donation to a community health center system will increase access to ultrasound technology in Montana and Wyoming as well as train healthcare workforce on new sonography technology. Discusses workforce shortages and the impact of new technology on health outcomes in rural and frontier areas.

UVM Researchers Tackle Rural Health Disparities

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study, a 6 year study investigating risk and protective factors for lung and heart disease for rural residents in 4 Southern states. Discusses the under-representation of rural residents in research and their recruitment strategies. Notes early results from the study as well as the role large public health studies can play in developing a new generation of researchers.

Study Identifies Higher Rates of Suicide in Some Remote Minnesota Regions

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Discusses suicide rates in rural Minnesota and factors contributing to the trends including workforce shortages, stigma, and farming industry suicide rate disparities. Notes initiatives aiming to reduce the rates and challenges that remain.

Culture-Responsive Care Addresses Mental Health Disparities in Tribal Communities

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Describes culturally relevant practices for mental healthcare for Native communities. Discusses therapy services available for students at the University of North Carolina and rural communities across North Carolina. Highlights health disparities and factors contributing to those disparities.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Initiative to Increase Investments in Person-Centered Primary Care

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Announcement of a new model from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid for primary care providers in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The model offers participating providers advanced payments for flexibility and access to resources for optimal primary care delivery. The model will incorporate health equity and address health disparities by targeting low revenue ACOs. The model begins January 1, 2025 for approximately 130 ACOs. Interested organizations much apply for or renew their ACO status between May 20 and June 17 in order to participate in the model.

Reentry Program for Those Incarcerated Offers 'A Model for Us to Follow'

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a rural reentry program in Kentucky for people leaving incarceration with substance use disorder. The program includes peer support who assist with needs such as housing, obtaining licenses, and other barriers to successful reentry.