Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services
Oct 28, 2026 - Highlights efforts to expand access to obstetric and gynecological care for rural Kentucky women, particularly for ovarian cancer screening and care as well as prenatal care and complications. Discusses the importance of partnerships between local providers and specialists.
Source: UK Now
Oct 26, 2026 - Describes the application of a direct primary care (DPC) model of care in an agricultural Oklahoma community. Discusses how the model works, why a provider may want to use the model, and the geographic distribution of DPC practices.
Source: Farm Press
Oct 26, 2026 - Wyoming has received funding to continue its home visiting program for pregnant women and families with young children, offering them connections to support and services. The program recently expanded and prioritizes families at risk of poor health outcomes, including rural residents.
Source: Wyoming Public Radio
Oct 26, 2026 - Describes ongoing research aiming to address cancer risk for firefighters by modifying the personal protective equipment worn during fire exposures. Notes that better protective gear would benefit rural fire departments that are often unable to screen firefighters for cancer.
Source: Public News Service
Oct 23, 2026 - Announces a new initiative to support recruiting and retaining nurses for rural and higher labor shortage area nursing homes through loan repayment and stipends in exchange for 3 years of employment in qualified facilities. Describes eligibility guidelines for nurses interested in the program.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Related funding:
Nurses for Nursing Homes
Oct 23, 2026 - Describes a newly funded project aiming to increase the participation of rural communities in clinical research and strengthen research partnerships with rural areas across the Southwest. Planned clinical research studies will investigate using telehealth to manage chronic disease and the impact of community doulas on maternal health outcomes.
Source: UNM Health Sciences News
Oct 21, 2026 - The medical school at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) in Fort Smith has announced the launch of its Doctor of Public Health in Leadership for Rural Health and Sustainable Development program. The first cohort comprises physicians, nurse practitioners, and people working in government agencies, hospital systems, and health-focused nonprofits.
Source: Texarkana Gazette
Oct 21, 2026 - Describes challenges with emergency medical services (EMS) provision in rural Vermont, discussing patients using EMS for primary care and low reimbursement rates. Notes possible policy measures to address EMS challenges.
Source: VTDigger
Oct 21, 2026 - Discusses a new Minnesota-based fellowship to train family medicine physicians in obstetrics to address limited access to obstetric care in rural communities.
Source: MPR News
Oct 21, 2026 - Notice from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Data Security Requirements for Accessing Confidential Data (OMB Control Number: 0930-0396)—Extension" regarding the use of and processing of applications in the standard application process (SAP) Portal to request confidential data from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Comments are due November 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register