Native American Communities Have the Highest Suicide Rates, yet Interventions Are Scarce
Highlights the high suicide rates for Native American communities. Discusses challenges with accessing mental healthcare, the need for culturally relevant services, and challenges in accessing funding for research and programs. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 22, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

CMS Announces New Model to Advance Integration in Behavioral Health
Announcement of a new model from the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services to test approaches for the behavioral, physical, and social health needs of Medicaid and Medicare recipients, particularly those with mental health or substance use disorders. Interprofessional care teams will offer integrated services for physical and behavioral health. Notes the challenges for accessing behavioral health groups for rural and other underserved patients. The model launches in Fall 2024 in up to 8 states. Funding information will be available in Spring 2024. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 18, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

The Long Decline: Health Care Access Grows Difficult in Shrinking Rural Communities
Highlights the healthcare access challenges in the rural Alabama Black Belt, focusing on the lack of providers in the region and transportation issues faced by the residents. Notes that specialty care in particular may be difficult for rural residents to access. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 18, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Analysis: Rural Families Need Broadband Subsidy Program More but Use It Less
Commentary offering analysis of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program addressing affordable high-speed internet for rural and other high-cost areas. Discusses possible reasons for lower uptake in rural versus urban households. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 18, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Rural Employment Edges Back to Pre-Pandemic Numbers
Highlights rural employment trends, comparing the most recent data with pre-COVID-19 pandemic data. Discusses trends in specific regions and industries. Offers state and county-level data. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 17, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Native Nations with Scarce Internet Are Building Their Own Broadband Networks
Discusses lack of broadband infrastructure on a Native American reservations and efforts across the country by tribal leaders to create their own networks. Notes sustainability challenges, particularly around funding and staffing. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 17, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Biden-Harris Administration's ARPA-H Launches PARADIGM Program to Improve Rural Health Outcomes
Announcement of a new program to prioritize early detection and disease management for rural communities through technological innovation and mobile hospital-level care. The program aims to improve morbidity and mortality disparities between rural and urban areas. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 16, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

How Rural Communities Are Tackling a Suicide and Depression Crisis among Farmers
Discusses the high rates of farmer suicide and depression and efforts to address it in Wisconsin. Notes that finances and stigma likely contribute to this disparity. Highlights the benefits of telehealth in reaching this population. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 16, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

How Do You Get a Rural Doc? Launch a Rural Med School
Discusses the shortage of physicians in rural Minnesota and highlights the success of a Wisconsin medical school that is serving as a model for addressing the shortage in Minnesota. Highlights the challenges with accessing healthcare in rural areas, noting that the aging population impacts both the health of the population and the sustainability of the workforce. Discusses community engagement and residency availability. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 12, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

The Opportunity Project Finds Ways to Funnel Investment to American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
Highlights the use of U.S. Census Bureau and other federal agency data to create digital tools to improve access to funding for Indigenous communities. Projects will be presented at the upcoming Census Open Innovation Summit 2024. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 12, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Affordable Connectivity Program to End Soon Barring Congressional Action
Funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a program bringing affordable broadband internet to rural and underserved communities, ends in May 2024. Bipartisan legislation has been proposed to continue funding the program. In anticipation of not being funded, the Federal Communications Commission has released details for winding down the program. New enrollments will cease on February 7, 2024. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 11, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

HHS Launches New Medicaid/CHIP Resource Hub to Help Keep People Covered
Announces an online hub from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offering information about Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewal and transition to other insurance options. The hub offers materials from across the federal government in multiple languages and includes material targeting specific populations such as rural residents. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 11, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

Federal Fix for Rural Hospitals Gets Few Takers so Far
Discusses implementation of the Rural Emergency Hospital program 1 year after it went into effect. Notes challenges that remain for rural hospitals and program changes being discussed to encourage wider adoption. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 10, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

When Its Employees Struggled to Find Child Care, a Small-Town Coffee Company Opened Its Own Center
Discusses the shortage of child care providers in Virginia and the impact that has on the workforce. Highlights a rurally-located business that offers child care as an employee benefit. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 9, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news

NRHA Call for Best Practices: 2024 Compendium of Rural-Healthy-Aging Initiatives & Best Practices
Organizations with programs, models, or policies addressing aging well in rural communities are invited to submit to a compendium of best practices. The compendium is being developed by the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Submissions are due by February 8th. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - January 8, 2024 Category: Rural Health Source Type: news