The Rural Monitor
Articles by Author: Brendan Stermer
About Brendan Stermer
Brendan Stermer writes for RHIhub's online magazine, the
Rural Monitor, as well as Models and Innovations. His
articles on important rural health issues are informed by
his background in small-town journalism. Brendan has a
bachelor of arts degree in Philosophy from the University
of Minnesota Morris.
Full Biography
November 13, 2024
The RUPRI Health Panel, consisting of six of the foremost rural health experts from across the country, is celebrating 30 years of nonpartisan policy analysis. Members reflect on the Panel's history – and their ongoing commitment to representing rural communities and perspectives in national health policy discussions.
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September 11, 2024
What can board members and CEOs do to ensure the continuity of strong leadership through transitions? Rural health leaders from across the country share their approaches to succession planning — from written policies to the mentorship of emerging talent.
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June 12, 2024
While loneliness and social isolation are often viewed as individual problems or even personal failings, there is growing awareness of the structural factors contributing to widespread disconnection. Amid a national "loneliness epidemic," some rural leaders are finding ways to help their neighbors connect.
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April 24, 2024
A growing number of rural hospital leaders are beginning to view their infrastructure, purchasing, and investment strategies as crucial extensions of their efforts to improve community health — and, in the long term, bolster their bottom line.
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February 21, 2024
CommHIT, a nonprofit based at the Kennedy Space Center, has worked at the intersection of rural health and technology for over a decade. Now, as an awardee of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network (RPHWTN) grant program, the organization is assisting Florida partners with workforce development initiatives and technology-related training programs.
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January 24, 2024
Produce prescription programs have gained popularity in recent years as a model for addressing food insecurity and diet-related disease. While such programs are still uncommon in rural areas, those that do exist report wide-ranging impacts on participants and local food systems.
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December 13, 2023
As the pandemic receded, many rural healthcare providers began to feel the acute effects of another crisis impacting communities across the country: a severe local housing shortage. In response, some organizations are forming unique partnerships and implementing creative solutions.
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September 20, 2023
The health impacts of extreme heat events are being felt by both urban and rural populations. But experts say the factors contributing to urban and rural vulnerability may differ significantly — and some of the most promising strategies for mitigating the impacts in urban areas may not be as useful in sparsely populated rural counties.
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July 26, 2023
In response to rising rates of overdose death and injection-related disease, rural organizers across the country are testing innovative harm reduction strategies to expand potentially life-saving services to some of the most marginalized members of their communities.
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