Rural Health
News by Topic: Health disparities
Jan 15, 2025 - The Washington American Indian Health Commission has requested the state consider a federal waiver for Medicaid coverage of traditional Indigenous healing practices following waivers successfully obtained by 4 other states in 2024. Discusses health disparities in Native communities and the funding benefits tribal health clinics would get from the waiver.
Source: Native News Online
HHS: Office of Minority Health, Organizational Structure
Federal Register
Jan 10, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updating the organizational structure for the Office of Minority Health (OMH). The name of the Division of Information and Education has been changed to the Division of Strategic Communication and Community Engagement (DCE).
Source: Federal Register
Jan 5, 2025 - Provides an overview of new research led by the University of Washington that found higher rates of menopause symptoms among rural women compared to their urban counterparts. Discusses possible contributing factors including lifestyle differences and long travel times to access care. Features the perspective of a rural nurse practitioner on changing attitudes and increased interest among her patients in menopause care.
Source: The Spokesman-Review
Jan 3, 2025 - Describes a new state-funded work group within Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration that will offer guidance on agricultural and rural behavioral health. Highlights mental health outcome disparities for farmers and ranchers and farming-related stressors contributing to those disparities.
Source: The Colorado Sun
Jan 2, 2025 - Highlights the second phase of an initiative to increase access to palliative care in rural Michigan. Notes that palliative care is often more accessible in urban communities despite health disparities for rural communities.
Source: Swartz Creek View
Dec 31, 2024 - Highlights challenges in healthcare access for American Indian and Alaska Natives in South Dakota. Notes that underfunding of the Indian Health Service, historic discrimination, and rural-specific challenges lead to health disparities for South Dakota tribes.
Source: Public News Service
Dec 30, 2024 - Discusses a new dental school in Arkansas, the first in the state. School administrators hope that the program will reduce dental workforce shortages, particularly for rural areas. Highlights funding and oral care access disparities.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Dec 30, 2024 - Describes the findings of new research on hospital obstetric units published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Notes that, between 2010 and 2022, a greater proportion of rural hospitals lacked obstetric services compared to urban hospitals. Discusses the wide-ranging health implications for rural mothers and babies, and provides an overview of proposed federal legislation to address the issue.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 27, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking information about the impact of ageism in healthcare and methods and strategies to address ageism in healthcare delivery. Information collected will inform future research priorities and studies, policies, and initiatives to improve the quality and outcomes of care for older adults. Includes specific questions of interest to AHRQ, including how ageism varies across diverse population groups, such as older adults living in rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Comments are due by March 15, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 21, 2024 - Describes rising numbers of cardiovascular disease-related deaths among rural working-age adults. Explores a variety of factors contributing to rural-urban cardiovascular disparities, including elevated rates of opioid use and limited health care access in many rural communities. Discusses efforts by a research network to develop rural-specific solutions to increase access to cardiovascular care.
Source: NBC News