Rural Health
News by Topic: Culture and cultural competency
May 14, 2024 - The Ways and Means Committee of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona heard testimony about concerns of Native American communities, and reaffirmed a commitment to help tribal and rural communities prosper. Topics included lack of access to healthcare, and the need for adopted children to maintain connections to their cultural heritage
Source: House Ways and Means Committee
May 12, 2024 - Reports on the 2,000-member Mi'kmaq Nation's efforts to use sweat lodges as a cultural element to complement addiction counseling and medications already provided by the tribe's health department. The project was partially funded by pharmaceutical companies that were accused of exacerbating the overdose crisis among Native Americans.
Source: National Public Radio
May 2, 2024 - Highlights disproportionate rates of American Indian/Alaska Native women and girls who are victims of homicide and sex trafficking. Offers recommendations for healthcare providers, including increased training, safety screenings, and culturally-responsive care.
Source: Indian Health Service
Apr 30, 2024 - Highlights a USDA-funded initiative offering free, locally-sourced foods to residents of Unalaska Island, Alaska. Discusses barriers to food access on the island and efforts to support local producers.
Source: Unalaska Community Broadcasting
Apr 26, 2024 - Profiles two Indigenous doulas in New Mexico. Discusses challenges with growing the profession related to training costs, lack of culturally relevant training, and limited or no insurance reimbursement. Notes that Medicaid reimbursements will be available beginning in July.
Source: New Mexico In Depth
Apr 24, 2024 - Profiles the only psychiatrist in Navajo Nation who blends Western behavioral healthcare and cultural practices in his delivery of care. Discusses mental healthcare access, diabetes, recruiting healthcare workforce, and the impact of COVID-19.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 19, 2024 - Summarizes a recent Arizona meeting addressing higher suicide rates in Native American communities. Notes the impact that long travel distances for reservation residents can negatively impact mental health. Discusses the role of historical trauma in disparate rates.
Source: Cronkite News
HHS: Development of a Universal Symbol for Language Assistance Services in Health Settings
Federal Register
Apr 19, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is seeking comments from language access stakeholders, including organizations representing and/or serving communities with limited English proficiency (LEP), to inform the development and implementation of a universal symbol informing people about the availability of language assistance services in healthcare settings. Comments are due by May 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 15, 2024 - 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.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Apr 10, 2024 - 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.
Source: Ethnic Media Services