News stories via the Rural Assistance Center This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Congenital Syphilis Rates Are Soaring, but Resources to Stem Infections Are Lacking
Highlights the rise in congenital syphilis rates. The highest rates are found in the South, Southwest, and in Native populations. Discusses public health funding, screening, access to maternal healthcare in rural communities, stigma, and racism. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 29, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Nighttime Harvests Protect Farmworkers From Extreme Heat, but Bring Other Risks
In an attempt to avoid dangerous heat during harvest, some farmworkers are working at night. Outlines risks and challenges associated with this work including limited visibility, fatigue, gender-based violence, and childcare. Notes that night work on farms is understudied, and so the risks are not fully understood. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 27, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

For Rural Communities, Broadband Expansion Is No Single Thing
Describes the challenges with providing high-speed internet service in rural communities, discussing in particular infrastructure and affordability issues. Notes that reliable high-speed internet can provide better access to healthcare and emergency services. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 26, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Small-Town Fire Department Helps Fill Gaps in Postpartum Care
Highlights Project Swaddle, a program run by a rural Indiana fire department providing education and care to pregnant and postpartum women. Discusses a national trend of declining access to maternal care in local hospitals and mortality. Results show a reduction in emergency department visits and higher breastfeeding rates among other successes. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 26, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Treating Rural America: The Last Doctor in Town
Part 1 of a documentary discussing shortages of physicians in rural areas. Offers overview of why shortages exist including historic trends in physician training, clinic ownership trends, facility closures, and more. Captions are available in the video player. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 25, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

FCC Seeks Further Comment on 5G Fund for Rural America
Requesting comments on the Federal Communications Commission plan to increase 5G service to rural communities. Specific issues include budget allocation, defining areas eligible for bidding, inclusion of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, inclusion of cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans, and use of the Open Radio Access Networks. Comments can be submitted electronically athttps://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/ or mailed by October 23rd. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 22, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

HHS Awards $45 Million in Grants to Expand Access to Care for People with Long COVID
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $45 million, through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to support existing multidisciplinary Long COVID clinics in the U.S. Seeks to expand access to care for populations disproportionally impacted by Long COVID, including underserved, rural, vulnerable, and minority populations. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 20, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Primary Care Providers Can Play Key Role in Delivering Survivorship Care in Rural Areas
Discusses care coordination between primary care physicians and specialists for rural cancer survivors. Notes that good communication between the care team can ensure that each participant understands everyone's scope of practice and what guidelines are being followed. Describes a project offering educational intervention to primary care physicians and tracking quality measures to find improvement in guideline-concordant care. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 20, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Encouraging Rural Participation in Population-Based Total Cost of Care Models Request for Input (RFI)
Request for input from rural stakeholders by the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) on issues and opportunities around population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC). Particular areas of interest include rural definitions, characteristics and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, characteristics and needs of rural providers, barriers to participations in alternative payment models, value-based care, social determinants of health, workforce development, and more. Comments can be emailed to PTAC@HHS.gov by October 20th. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 20, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

How Will Rural Americans Fare During Medicaid Unwinding? Experts Fear They're on Their Own
Describes the role of navigators tasked with helping guide people through health insurance enrollment, particularly during the Medicaid unwinding process. Notes that disenrollment could disproportionately impact rural residents who already disproportionately experience barriers to care. Navigators are more likely to be located in urban areas or cover large regions. States that other methods for receiving assistance have proven unreliable. Discusses data gathering techniques that make it challenging to understand rural and urban differences. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 20, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Northeastern Receives $17.5 Million from CDC to Launch Infectious Disease Prediction Center
Announcement of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a new innovation center focusing on detecting and preparing for infectious disease, particularly for rural areas. The center will use surveillance and data to help local healthcare facilities and other government officials respond to predicted outbreaks. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 19, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Just Two Doctors Serve This Small Alabama Town. What's Next When They Want to Retire?
Describes the primary care options for a rural Alabama town where the only 2 practicing physicians are considering retirement. The fire department with emergency medics on staff is one method for filling the void. Telehealth kiosks provided by a nearby is another. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 18, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Rural Hospitals Are Closing Maternity Wards. People Are Seeking Options to Give Birth Closer to Home
Describes the lack of maternity units in rural hospitals. More than 2 million women live in maternity care deserts. Notes reasons for recent closures include reimbursement rates, workforce issues, fewer births, and financial difficulties for rural facilities. Discusses possibilities and challenges that come with free-standing birth centers, proposed as a solution to the shortages. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 17, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Native Americans, Alaska Natives See Big Spike in Suicide Rates
The suicide rate in the U.S. grew 30% between 2000 and 2020. Includes a significant spike for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Discusses historical inequities, lack of mental healthcare in tribal areas, and healthcare use trends by people at risk of suicide. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 14, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Across America, Many Who Need a Neurologist Live Too Far From Care
Summarizes recent research findings on Medicare patients' access to a neurologist. Rural residents were more likely to travel long distances than urban residents. Additionally the study found that those making long trips were traveling for an average of 81 miles and 90 minutes. Those with closer neurologists traveled for 13 miles and 22 minutes. Discusses the impact on follow-up care, patient choice in physician selection, and includes recommendations for considering the impact of telehealth. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - September 14, 2023 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news