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Rural Health
News by Topic: Infectious diseases

Nov 14, 2024 - Highlights an initiative to increase vaccination for influenza among Kansas farmworkers. Discusses the increased risk of co-infection with H5N1 bird flu and seasonal influenza as well as the strain seasonal illnesses can place on low-staffed rural hospitals.
Source: KCUR, NPR
Nov 11, 2024 - Highlights research finding that cardiovascular disease deaths have increased for rural adults between 2010 and 2020. The study analyzed death certificate data for over 11 million people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on already existing cardiovascular health outcomes on rural and urban populations. Notes possible solutions for reducing the disparity.
Source: American Heart Association Newsroom
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) on December 11-12, 2024. The meeting will include panels the history of the civil rights movement in the South and how it impacts HIV disparities today; the intersection of HIV, stigma, and social determinants of health; the epidemiology of HIV in Alabama; and local solutions for advancing health justice and addressing HIV disparities. The full agenda will be posted on the PACHA website prior to the meeting. To provide public comment, pre-registration is required by December 4, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection project titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)." NHSN is used to track healthcare-associated infections and the extent to which healthcare facilities adhere to infection prevention practices and antimicrobial stewardship. The proposed changes in this information collection request include revisions to 74 existing data collection forms and 10 new forms. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses telehealth and remote monitoring tool solutions for improving rural healthcare access. Highlights the role the COVID-19 pandemic played in increasing telehealth adoption and access barriers that remain in spite of wider telehealth adoption. Discusses workforce shortages, broadband challenges, and reimbursement for telehealth.
Source: TechTarget
Oct 21, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed information collection request titled "National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Coronavirus (COVID-19)." This information collection is designed to standardize the data elements collected from across the country regarding the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare facilities. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 9, 2024 - Notice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) seeking comments on the proposal to extend approval of the information collection requirements specified in the COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting in Healthcare Standard. The COVID-19 Recordkeeping and Reporting in Healthcare Standard contains information collection requirements that require employers to: establish and maintain a COVID-19 log of each instance identified by the employer in which an employee is COVID-19 positive, regardless of whether the instance is connected to exposure to COVID-19 at work; report to OSHA each work-related COVID-19 fatality within 8 hours of the employer and each work-related COVID-19 in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours of the employer learning about the in-patient hospitalization; and more. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) is seeking feedback on the development of four strategic plans for the United States for 2026-2030: 1) National HIV/AIDS Strategy; 2) Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan; 3) Vaccines National Strategic Plan; and 4) Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. The strategic plans will serve as national roadmaps for a broad range of constituents to help prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure disease; improve health outcomes; reduce health disparities and inequities; and advance research and technology. Comments are due by December 6, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 7, 2024 - Highlights the work of the South Texas VA in offering telehealth for palliative and Long COVID care and their recent designation as a Nationally Designated Telehealth Hub. Discusses the challenges in access to care for veterans in rural areas.
Source: VA News