Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Delta Region
Federal Regional Commissions and Authorities (FRCAs): Health-Related Programs
Provides an overview of congressionally authorized federal regional commissions and authorities (FRCAs), state-federal partnerships that use federal funds for economic development grants and related activities. Discusses the relationship between health and economic development. Describes examples of FRCA health-related grant programs and activities, such as healthcare facility development and equipment, workforce development, business technical assistance, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Summarizes recent legislation and policy proposals regarding FRCAs and health, as well as considerations for Congress.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of congressionally authorized federal regional commissions and authorities (FRCAs), state-federal partnerships that use federal funds for economic development grants and related activities. Discusses the relationship between health and economic development. Describes examples of FRCA health-related grant programs and activities, such as healthcare facility development and equipment, workforce development, business technical assistance, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Summarizes recent legislation and policy proposals regarding FRCAs and health, as well as considerations for Congress.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Comparing Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Rural, Multilevel, Community-Engaged Food Is Medicine Intervention
Compares perspectives of 25 low-income patients with chronic disease risk and 19 healthcare providers in the rural Mississippi Delta on potential impacts of a food is medicine (FIM) program. Discusses themes regarding health status improvement, improvements to food insecurity, diet-related disease management and healthcare delivery, implementation barriers, and program adherence.
Author(s): Danielle M. Krobath, Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)
Date: 05/2026
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Compares perspectives of 25 low-income patients with chronic disease risk and 19 healthcare providers in the rural Mississippi Delta on potential impacts of a food is medicine (FIM) program. Discusses themes regarding health status improvement, improvements to food insecurity, diet-related disease management and healthcare delivery, implementation barriers, and program adherence.
Author(s): Danielle M. Krobath, Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, Yarisbel Melo Herrera, et al.
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)
Date: 05/2026
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Food Insecurity and Barriers to Supplemental Food Provision in the Mississippi Delta: A Qualitative Analysis
Examines the impact of supplemental food provisions (SFPs) in the predominately rural Mississippi Delta. Utilizes interview feedback from 29 SFP personnel to discuss SFP barriers, sustainability, and health initiatives.
Author(s): Sophie C. Hathaway
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(3), 293-304
Date: 06/2025
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Examines the impact of supplemental food provisions (SFPs) in the predominately rural Mississippi Delta. Utilizes interview feedback from 29 SFP personnel to discuss SFP barriers, sustainability, and health initiatives.
Author(s): Sophie C. Hathaway
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(3), 293-304
Date: 06/2025
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2025 Kentucky Rural Nursing Workforce Update
Infographic providing demographics and statistics on wages and numbers of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Kentucky as of 2024, with breakdowns by rural or urban location. Features percentage of state distribution of nurses with breakdowns by rural, urban, Appalachia, and Delta regions. Includes a county-level map showing distribution of APRNs and RNs by Kentucky Area Development District.
Author(s): William M. Baker, Caleb K. Williams, Beth Bowling
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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Infographic providing demographics and statistics on wages and numbers of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Kentucky as of 2024, with breakdowns by rural or urban location. Features percentage of state distribution of nurses with breakdowns by rural, urban, Appalachia, and Delta regions. Includes a county-level map showing distribution of APRNs and RNs by Kentucky Area Development District.
Author(s): William M. Baker, Caleb K. Williams, Beth Bowling
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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The Impact of Primary Care Physician Capacity on Preventable Hospitalizations: Identifying Bright Spots in the Appalachian & Mississippi Delta Regions
Results of a study to determine whether the association of primary care capacity with preventable hospitalizations is different in the Appalachian and Mississippi Delta regions compared with the rest of the U.S. Also explores primary care capacity in counties with lower-than-expected preventable hospitalization rates. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and nonrural areas.
Author(s): Michael Topmiller, Peter J. Mallow, Hoon Byun, Mark Carrozza, Yalda Jabbarpour
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 66-78
Date: 10/2024
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Results of a study to determine whether the association of primary care capacity with preventable hospitalizations is different in the Appalachian and Mississippi Delta regions compared with the rest of the U.S. Also explores primary care capacity in counties with lower-than-expected preventable hospitalization rates. Features statistics with breakdowns by rural and nonrural areas.
Author(s): Michael Topmiller, Peter J. Mallow, Hoon Byun, Mark Carrozza, Yalda Jabbarpour
Citation: Journal of Appalachian Health, 6(3), 66-78
Date: 10/2024
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Rural Louisiana Programs Create Healthier Schools
Features two Delta States Rural Development Network grantees working to improve children's health in rural Louisiana schools. A high school program focuses on preventing diabetes and an elementary school program offers nutrition and physical activity opportunities to students.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features two Delta States Rural Development Network grantees working to improve children's health in rural Louisiana schools. A high school program focuses on preventing diabetes and an elementary school program offers nutrition and physical activity opportunities to students.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Community-Driven Strategies to Address Persistent Poverty in Rural Areas
Webinar recording discussing persistent poverty and structural barriers to increasing wealth. Discusses the work of community development finance institutions. Highlights successful program examples including indigenous food systems in Maine, home ownership in the Mississippi Delta and colonias along the U.S.-Mexico Border, and using community engagement to impact systems and policy in Kansas. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Webinar recording discussing persistent poverty and structural barriers to increasing wealth. Discusses the work of community development finance institutions. Highlights successful program examples including indigenous food systems in Maine, home ownership in the Mississippi Delta and colonias along the U.S.-Mexico Border, and using community engagement to impact systems and policy in Kansas. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 06/2024
Sponsoring organization: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
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Delta States Rural Development Network Program 2023 Grantee Directory
A directory of the Delta States Rural Development Grant Program in the 2023-2026 funding cycle. Includes a brief program overview and contact information for each of the twelve grantees. The Delta States region comprises Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
A directory of the Delta States Rural Development Grant Program in the 2023-2026 funding cycle. Includes a brief program overview and contact information for each of the twelve grantees. The Delta States region comprises Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Related funding:
Delta States Rural Development Network Program
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Produce Prescription Programs Offer 'A Holistic Approach' to Addressing Rural Food Insecurity and Diet-Related Disease
Features produce prescription programs serving rural Mississippi, New Mexico, and Vermont that are helping improve access to healthy foods for those with diet-related chronic conditions. Describes how produce Rx programs can support local food systems and discusses funding and sustainability considerations.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features produce prescription programs serving rural Mississippi, New Mexico, and Vermont that are helping improve access to healthy foods for those with diet-related chronic conditions. Describes how produce Rx programs can support local food systems and discusses funding and sustainability considerations.
Author(s): Brendan Stermer
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 01/2024
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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State of Mississippi: Five Year Action Plan: Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) Program
Provides overview of the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi Office's Five-Year Action Plan, covering 2023 through 2028, for providing high-speed internet service throughout the state. Includes information on existing programs and funding, administrative structure, partnerships, data gathering, and more. Includes county level data both statewide and in the Delta Region for Mississippi.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi
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Provides overview of the Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi Office's Five-Year Action Plan, covering 2023 through 2028, for providing high-speed internet service throughout the state. Includes information on existing programs and funding, administrative structure, partnerships, data gathering, and more. Includes county level data both statewide and in the Delta Region for Mississippi.
Date: 09/2023
Sponsoring organization: Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi
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