Rural Health
News by Topic: Infectious diseases
HHS: 12th Amendment to Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID-19
Federal Register
Dec 11, 2024 - Notice of amendment from the Department of Health and Human Services extending the determination of a public health emergency and states that COVID-19 presents a credible risk of a future public health emergency. Among other things, this amendment extends liability immunity for licensed pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and qualified pharmacy technicians to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines, seasonal influenza vaccines, and COVID-19 tests through December 31, 2029. This amendment is effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 6, 2024 - Announces the start of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) National Milk Testing Strategy in response to the
spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle. Describes the
implementation of a nationwide testing system to identify
infected herds and protect the health of farmers,
farmworkers, and the public. Notes the issuance of a new
Federal Order and outlines compliance requirements for
dairy industry stakeholders.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dec 3, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeking comments on the draft Recommendations for HIV Screening in Clinical Settings. This draft would update portions of the CDC's 2006 "Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings," including modifying the ages for HIV screening, encouraging providers to use clinical decision support tools, providing considerations for healthcare populations on which to conduct HIV screening, and more. Comments are due by January 2, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 2, 2024 - Describes the findings of a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the use of nirsevimab to treat RSV among infants in rural Alaska. Notes that the drug helped to reduce the severity of illness among babies and young children in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, which has the highest rate of RSV-related infant hospitalization in the nation. Discusses how inadequate water and wastewater services and overcrowded housing in rural Alaska contribute to disease spread.
Source: Alaska Beacon
Nov 27, 2024 - Summarizes recent research that found positive impacts from telehealth and peer support in diagnosing and curing hepatitis C for rural residents who use drugs. Discusses telehealth use following COVID-19 related increases and the value of peer support by those with lived experience.
Source: OHSU News
Nov 26, 2024 - Discusses the use of paramedicine and mobile units by a rural Indiana hospital to increase access to primary care. Highlights how the COVID-19 public health emergency allowed the hospital to expand already existing rural outreach efforts.
Source: WNIN
Nov 25, 2024 - Provides overview of data on bird flu spread in western states. Notes the possibility of numerous unreported cases among farmworkers due to a widespread lack of testing. Features varying perspectives on the testing of asymptomatic individuals and best practices for increasing testing among farmworkers.
Source: Idaho Capital Sun
Nov 22, 2024 - Announces nearly $52 million for 54 Health Resources & Services Administration-funded health centers for increasing access to primary care for people reentering the community after incarceration. Funding will address health needs including managing chronic conditions, reducing the risk of drug overdose, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, and infectious disease prevention, screening, diagnosing, and treatment.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Nov 22, 2024 - Summarizes the Biden-Harris Administration's investments in rural healthcare. Details funding for workforce development, technical assistance to improve healthcare facilities' economic viability, and access to primary care, maternal, HIV, mental health, and substance use disorder services.
Source: Health Resources and Services Administration
FDA: Revocation of Two Authorizations of Emergency Use of In Vitro Diagnostic Devices for Detection and/or Diagnosis of COVID-19; Availability
Federal Register
Nov 20, 2024 - The Food and Drug Administration has revoked Emergency Use Authorizations issued to Cue Health, Inc., related to COVID-19 detection and diagnosis tests. The revocations are effective October 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register