Rural Health
News by Topic: Community and economic development
Aug 20, 2026 - Highlights a study in progress investigating the impact of a food as medicine program on health outcomes in the rural Mississippi Delta. Also discusses the way the study is positively impacting area farmers through investments in the local food production economy. Notes that preliminary study outcomes are positive, but full results will not be ready until the study concludes in 2027.
Source: Farm Press
Aug 10, 2026 - Summarizes a panel at an agricultural conference discussing farmer mental health. Discusses stigma, health insurance access, preventive care, healthcare access, and the impact of healthcare on rural communities.
Source: Oklahoma Farm Report
Aug 5, 2026 - Describes the Rural Immersion Program, a program in Missouri offering healthcare students more information on the challenges associated with rural healthcare and wellness in Missouri.
Source: KTTN
Jul 29, 2026 - Discusses the goals of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a federal opportunity to expand broadband access to underserved locations. Describes how the funding is being deployed at the state level, what technology is being used, and challenges that remain.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Jul 29, 2026 - Describes a rural Arkansas community project that will offer community gardening, gathering space, and opportunities to improve digital literacy skills.
Source: KATV
Jul 24, 2026 - Interview with Cory Cronin, associate professor at Ohio University's Department of Social and Public Health. He discusses the issues involved in nonprofit rural hospitals spending their community benefit budgets, a requirement to invest in improving the health of the local community overall.
Source: WOUB
Jul 22, 2026 - Highlights the Rebuild the Bayou Housing Recovering Initiative, a program offering storm-fortifying housing development in south Louisiana communities impacted by hurricanes. Discusses the work of a local community foundation to support community resilience and response to weather emergencies.
Source: Rural LISC
Jul 22, 2026 - Discusses new available funding for strengthening the Utah state food supply to support local rural community economies and the health of their residents. The funds are part of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program strategy.
Source: KSL
Jul 13, 2026 - Discusses disaster response and recovery measures rural West Virginia communities have implemented as a result of floods in 2016. Notes that rural communities may have additional recovery challenges as they are more likely to have aging populations and fewer resources.
Source: Public News Service
Jul 13, 2026 - Announcement from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of forthcoming funding and grant application information for the Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program—(IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment) program. Funding will support tribal workforce development strategies in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology sectors. Projects may include housing, roads, utilities, and community infrastructure projects such as structural steel, rebar, bridges, buildings, and infrastructure projects. A notice of funding opportunity will be released on the BIA-OIS website.
Source: Federal Register