Rural Health
News by Topic: Health occupations
Jul 23, 2024 - Describes findings of a new report from the Alaska Division of Public Health showing improvements in dental health among children 3 and younger across various metrics. Identifies possible factors contributing to the positive trends, including Medicaid expansion and the expansion of the Dental Health Aide Therapist program. Discusses ongoing rural dental health disparities and recommendations for improvement.
Source: Alaska Beacon
Jul 23, 2024 - Highlights two programs created by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to address physician shortages in rural Michigan. Describes how the programs - in which students spend the last two years of medical school at sites in rural northern Michigan - offer students hands-on experiences with patients and exposure to life in a rural community.
Source: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Jul 22, 2024 - Presents overview of a new resource hub for rural health executives created by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Outlines features including white papers, case studies, toolkits, and playbooks on issues commonly faced by rural health leadership.
Source: NRHA
Jul 22, 2024 - Features the perspectives of rural doctors on the positive aspects of rural practice, including high quality of life, a varied caseload, and supportive community relationships. Provides overview of rural health disparities and efforts to address provider shortages through loan forgiveness programs.
Source: BU Today
Jul 20, 2024 - Discusses factors contributing to mental healthcare provider shortages in rural Colorado and solutions for addressing the shortage including telemedicine, interventions for farmers and farmworkers, and other policy measures. Highlights the role of stigma as a barrier to care.
Source: Colorado Politics
Jul 20, 2024 - Highlights emergency disaster training offered to rural fire departments and healthcare students in Wisconsin. Notes the value in maintaining skills for first responders in areas with fewer emergency situations in a year.
Source: News 8 Now
Jul 17, 2024 - Provides an overview of the mental health workforce shortage in Texas, with data on various provider types. Notes that shortages are particularly acute in rural counties, some of which have no providers. Reviews efforts by state lawmakers to address the issue, including loan repayment programs and increased Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services.
Source: The Texas Tribune
Jul 17, 2024 - Describes the role of dental therapists, a provider type licensed to provide basic preventative care under the supervision of a dentist, in expanding oral healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Highlights the work of dental therapists in tribal communities in Alaska and Washington, where oral health needs are significant and dentists are in short supply.
Source: Stateline
Jul 16, 2024 - Outlines new investment by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the creation of a multi-state licensure compact, allowing social workers to practice across state lines without applying for multiple licenses. Notes the potential impacts of the licensure compact on rural communities by easing provider shortages and expanding telehealth service availability.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
SAMHSA: Meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Advisory Council
Federal Register
Jul 12, 2024 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Advisory Council (NAC) will hold a virtual public meeting on August 29, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; updates on SAMHSA priorities; follow-up on topics from the previous meeting. Presentations and discussions will focus on older adults; workforce; legislative updates; the Office of Management, Technology, and Operations (OMTO); budget; and credentialing work. Registration is required to attend the meeting. Individuals interested in making oral presentations must notify Carlos Castillo by 1:00 p.m. Eastern on August 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register