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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Public health

Dec 16, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) that seeks to advance interoperability, improve transparency, and support the access, exchange, and use of electronic health information. This final rule amends the information blocking regulations by including definitions related to the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Manner Exception and corrects and updates current regulatory provisions of the ONC Health IT Certification Program. The rule also implements certain provisions related to TEFCA, which would support the reliability, privacy, security, and trust within TEFCA. This rule is effective January 15, 2025.
Source: 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 10, 2024 - Reports on a new Nevada language-access law that exempts smaller counties and discusses the impacts on rural residents that speak a language other than English. Highlights the growing diversification of rural areas as well as the challenges with offering services and information in languages other than English for small jurisdictions with limited resources. Discusses the importance of language-access for topics related to public health and voting for health-related issues.
Source: KFF Health News, Daily Yonder
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 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on a proposed revision to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 2025-2027. BRFSS is a nationwide system of cross-sectional surveys that produces state-level information primarily on health risk behaviors, health conditions, and preventive health practices that are associated with chronic diseases, infectious diseases, and injury. Proposed revisions include the addition of questions on the following topics to questionnaires: heart attack and stroke, disaster/pandemic preparedness, veterans' health, and the use of newly available tobacco products. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 3, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking comments on Round 6 of the "National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Rapid Surveys System (RSS)." The RSS is a survey system being designed to complement the current household survey systems at NCHS and will use survey data from probability-based online panels to produce time-sensitive estimates of new and emerging public health topics, attitudes, and behaviors. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
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 29, 2024 - Features a variety of public health initiatives led in partnership with public libraries in rural and urban communities across the country. Highlights programs offered at two rural libraries in Texas, including food assistance and peer support services.
Source: Associated Press
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
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