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Rural Health
News by Topic: Racial and ethnic groups

May 31, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women will hold a virtual public meeting of the Task Force on Research on Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women on June 17, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include an update on the National Institute of Justice's research program on violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and facilitated Task Force discussion and recommendations addressing violence against American Indian and Alaska Native Women. Registration is required by June 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
May 31, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on June 26-27, 2024. Agenda items are being finalized but may include an update on the federal Healthy Start program; Committee discussions on the workgroup topics of rural healthcare access, social drivers of health, and women's health before/between pregnancies; federal updates; and possible recommendations to achieve optimal maternal health and overall birth outcomes for underserved populations, including Black/African-American families. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register
May 29, 2024 - Notice from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announcing a joint Tribal consultation session between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ACF Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD), Office of Head Start (OHS), and Office of Child Care (OCC) and the leadership of Tribal governments operating Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Tribal Child Care and Development Fund; and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The Tribal consultation session will be held on July 9-10, 2024, in Fort McDowell, Arizona. The purpose of this consultation session is to discuss ways to better meet the needs of Tribal children and their families and issues affecting the delivery of early childhood services in their geographic locations. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
May 29, 2024 - Highlights new research which found lower mammography rates among women in rural Texas. Notes particularly low rates among Hispanic and Black women. Explores possible contributing factors including rural hospital closures and lack of health insurance.
Source: Medical Xpress
May 24, 2024 - Describes the launch of an HPV testing program and anticipated impacts on rural Alaskans. Highlights the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, and high rates of cervical cancer among Alaska Native and American Indian women. Discusses how self-collecting for HPV tests can decrease barriers for rural populations.
Source: Alaska Public Media, PBS, NPR
May 23, 2024 - A proposed federal bill would add veterinary services to the duties of the Indian Health Service. Discusses the public health risks of rabies and other zoonotic diseases in rural Alaska where veterinary care is often limited.
Source: Alaska Beacon
May 23, 2024 - Highlights the inaugural graduating class of the first medical school on a reservation. The school aims to reduce the shortage of both Indigenous physicians and rural physicians across the country. Discusses the incorporation of Cherokee culture and traditional medicine in the curriculum as well as Native American health disparities.
Source: PBS NewsHour
May 21, 2024 - Profiles a new public health clinic on a reservation in Oregon. Discusses the importance of the clinic for increasing tribal sovereignty, offering culturally relevant healthcare, and access to care. Highlights the clinic's funding through a philanthropic organization.
Source: The Daily Yonder
May 14, 2024 - The Ways and Means Committee of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona heard testimony about concerns of Native American communities, and reaffirmed a commitment to help tribal and rural communities prosper. Topics included lack of access to healthcare, and the need for adopted children to maintain connections to their cultural heritage
Source: House Ways and Means Committee
May 13, 2024 - Describes a collaborative program between University of Colorado Boulder researchers and the Cuba, New Mexico Independent School District. Students, teachers, and stakeholders from neighboring rural communities and Navajo Nation chapters participate in an annual six-week summer program. Past sessions have focused on topics such as mental health needs and healthy food access.
Source: University of Colorado Boulder School of Education