Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services
Acting Before the First Case: How Southern Seven Health Department Strengthened Measles Preparedness Through Partnerships
Case study highlighting the Southern Seven Health Department's approach to measles preparedness in rural Illinois via partnerships and data-sharing. Highlights topics including access to vaccines and other healthcare services, the role of forming partnerships with schools and other partners, and the importance of trust and communication.
Author(s): Tori Ryan
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Case study highlighting the Southern Seven Health Department's approach to measles preparedness in rural Illinois via partnerships and data-sharing. Highlights topics including access to vaccines and other healthcare services, the role of forming partnerships with schools and other partners, and the importance of trust and communication.
Author(s): Tori Ryan
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Rural Health Transformation Fund: Workforce Trends and Implications for Rural Care
Webinar presenting findings from a review of all 50 state Rural Health Transformation Fund plans, examining how workforce issues are framed, strategies that states are prioritizing, and how telehealth and digital health are reflected in workforce planning. Also explores the challenge of maintaining the workforce needed to support technology-enabled care in rural settings.
Additional links: PowerPoint, Transcript
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Webinar presenting findings from a review of all 50 state Rural Health Transformation Fund plans, examining how workforce issues are framed, strategies that states are prioritizing, and how telehealth and digital health are reflected in workforce planning. Also explores the challenge of maintaining the workforce needed to support technology-enabled care in rural settings.
Additional links: PowerPoint, Transcript
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Broadband Access and Ophthalmologist Density in the United States: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study
Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbanicity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbanicity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Digital Innovations at Community Health Centers: AI Ambient Scribing in Rural Health Care
Describes how artificial intelligence (AI) ambient scribing technology is used in community health centers and its potential implications for rural and frontier health centers. Covers the documentation experience, impact on comprehensive care, and patient experience.
Author(s): Katie Coleman, Nicole Van Borkulo
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Describes how artificial intelligence (AI) ambient scribing technology is used in community health centers and its potential implications for rural and frontier health centers. Covers the documentation experience, impact on comprehensive care, and patient experience.
Author(s): Katie Coleman, Nicole Van Borkulo
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2026 MIPS Promoting Interoperability Performance Category Hardship Exception Application Guide
Provides guidance on how clinicians can apply for a MIPS hardship exception. Highlights guidance for having your MIPS Promoting Interoperability performance category reweighted to 0% in cases of insufficient internet connectivity, decertified electronic health record technology, or other circumstances out of the clinicians' control.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides guidance on how clinicians can apply for a MIPS hardship exception. Highlights guidance for having your MIPS Promoting Interoperability performance category reweighted to 0% in cases of insufficient internet connectivity, decertified electronic health record technology, or other circumstances out of the clinicians' control.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Telehealth Resource Center Skills Matrix
Outlines the technical assistance and subject matter expertise of the 14 federally funded Telehealth Resource Centers in specific telehealth topics, clinical specialties, and areas of telehealth implementation.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Outlines the technical assistance and subject matter expertise of the 14 federally funded Telehealth Resource Centers in specific telehealth topics, clinical specialties, and areas of telehealth implementation.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Understanding Artificial Intelligence and How It Can Be Used in Transit
Discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in transit agencies. Includes the results of a survey among 24 rural, tribal, and other transit agencies about their use of AI, potential uses of AI, regulations, and potential funding sources. Offers a 6-step process for implementation following best practices.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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Discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in transit agencies. Includes the results of a survey among 24 rural, tribal, and other transit agencies about their use of AI, potential uses of AI, regulations, and potential funding sources. Offers a 6-step process for implementation following best practices.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
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Heat-Related Illnesses Among U.S. Agricultural Workers from 2016 to 2024: Content Analysis of News Media Reports
Analyzes articles from 2016 to 2024 in an agricultural injury database to identify instances of and trends related to documenting heat-related illness (HRI) in agriculture work. Highlights risk factors for HRI, discusses data gaps, and notes the potential impact of technology on reducing HRI.
Author(s): Christopher Benny, Jakob Hanschu, Roger G. Aby, Serap Gorucu, Bryan P. Weichelt
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(5), 549
Date: 04/2026
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Analyzes articles from 2016 to 2024 in an agricultural injury database to identify instances of and trends related to documenting heat-related illness (HRI) in agriculture work. Highlights risk factors for HRI, discusses data gaps, and notes the potential impact of technology on reducing HRI.
Author(s): Christopher Benny, Jakob Hanschu, Roger G. Aby, Serap Gorucu, Bryan P. Weichelt
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(5), 549
Date: 04/2026
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Access to Phones and Use of International Numbers Among Farmworkers in North Carolina, 2023–2024
Explores access to and use of phones among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina to identify barriers to managing healthcare and reporting emergencies. Discusses how international phone numbers impact participation with the healthcare system.
Author(s): Abdul G. Zahra, Leslie E. Cofie, Catherine E. LePrevost, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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Explores access to and use of phones among migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina to identify barriers to managing healthcare and reporting emergencies. Discusses how international phone numbers impact participation with the healthcare system.
Author(s): Abdul G. Zahra, Leslie E. Cofie, Catherine E. LePrevost, et al.
Citation: Journal of Agromedicine, 2026
Date: 04/2026
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April 2026 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state and federal tools for ensuring accountability of Medicaid managed care plans, the role of the state Medicaid agency in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), pharmacy benefit managers and Medicaid, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) April 2026 meeting. Covers community engagement requirements in Medicaid, state and federal tools for ensuring accountability of Medicaid managed care plans, the role of the state Medicaid agency in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), pharmacy benefit managers and Medicaid, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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