Rural Health
News by Topic: Mortality
Jan 15, 2025 - Announces a new grant to combat the opioid epidemic in rural Georgia by training, supporting, and compensating 50 rural pharmacists in dispensing naloxone in addition to community education regarding local resources. Describes increases in overdose deaths and the use of fentanyl in Georgia.
Source: UGA Today
Dec 30, 2024 - Describes the findings of new research on hospital obstetric units published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Notes that, between 2010 and 2022, a greater proportion of rural hospitals lacked obstetric services compared to urban hospitals. Discusses the wide-ranging health implications for rural mothers and babies, and provides an overview of proposed federal legislation to address the issue.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Dec 19, 2024 - Reports on trends in maternal health and mortality in Arizona and drivers of poor outcomes such as limited mental health training for providers, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma. Discusses rural-specific challenges in accessing care like transportation, labor and delivery service access, broadband, and low provider reimbursement rates for care.
Source: Tuscon Sentinel
Dec 13, 2024 - Announces a major update to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. Notes that the tool can be used to analyze data at the intersection of broadband connectivity and a range of public health challenges, now including maternal morbidity and mortality.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
AHRQ: Supplemental Evidence and Data Request on Medical Care for Adults With Down Syndrome
Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Medical Care for Adults with Down Syndrome. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by January 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - Reports on new data showing that children in the poorest and most rural Colorado counties are more likely to have a parent or sibling die. Highlights factors likely contributing to this disparity. Discusses challenges with access to therapy and support services for rural children and efforts to overcome those challenges through recruiting rural behavioral healthcare workforce.
Source: The Colorado Sun
Nov 27, 2024 - An analysis of roadway accidents found that drivers in rural Arkansas counties died at higher rates than urban ones between 2016 and 2022. Notes potential reasons for the disparity including higher speeds, farm equipment, and longer emergency response times. Discusses the implications for holiday travel and other disparities related to driver demographics, crash causes, and safety equipment use.
Source: Arkansas Advocate