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Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

May 10, 2024 - Describes a Northern Arizona University project to study persistent disparities in autism services for children from underserved communities. The study is funded by a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Source: Cronkite News
May 8, 2024 - Describes program aimed at increasing access to clinical trials for rural people with ALS. Notes higher rates of ALS in the Midwest and unique barriers faced by rural patients.
Source: KBIA
May 8, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking nominations for membership on the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD). The ACD consists of up to 15 experts knowledgeable in areas pertinent to the CDC mission, including public health, global health, health disparities, biomedical research, and other fields as applicable. Nominations are due by June 7, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 8, 2024 - Explores complex barriers to substance abuse treatment for residents of rural west Texas. Discusses challenges faced by law enforcement and the court system due to a shortage of local recovery resources.
Source: The Big Bend Sentinel
May 8, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is seeking public comments on potential viral hepatitis quality measures for implementation at the state and territory level. Specifically, HHS requests comments on the clinical significance, usability, feasibility, and likely uptake of hepatitis C screening and hepatitis C treatment initiation quality measures, as well as recommendations on other feasible viral hepatitis measures. Comments are due by June 7, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 7, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on a proposed information collection titled "Data Collection for the Residential Care Community and Adult Day Services Center Components of the National Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Study." The data collected in 2024 will include the basic characteristics, services, staffing, and practices of Residential Care Communities (RCCs) and Adult Day Services Centers (ADSCs), and aggregate-level distributions of the demographics, selected health conditions and health care utilization, physical functioning, and cognitive functioning of RCC residents and ADSC participants. Comments are due by July 8, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 7, 2024 - Discusses mental healthcare access in rural Texas where 60% of counties are Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. Describes the strain on emergency rooms and other facilities in or near these shortage areas as well as the impact on patients. Discusses the role of telehealth in increasing access to mental healthcare.
Source: The Texas Tribune
May 7, 2024 - Highlights the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy's Rural Health Certificate program, which partners with rural pharmacies and prepares students to serve the unique needs of rural areas. Notes the heightened importance of rural pharmacists, who may be more accessible than other health professionals in rural areas.
Source: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
May 7, 2024 - Provides an overview of new legislation aimed at improving healthcare access, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. Details six bills addressing a range of issues including telehealth access, rural hospital stabilization, and healthcare workforce shortages.
Source: House Committee on Ways and Means
May 6, 2024 - Announces a new regional cancer center focusing on increasing cancer care access in rural Kentucky. The facility will include space for direct patient care, education, training, and research. It is expected to open in 2026.
Source: Spectrum News 1