With a perspective gained from many years as a physician practicing in rural and urban locations, Dr. Kay Miller Temple writes on a variety of rural health topics and programs for RHIhub's Rural Monitor and Models and Innovations. She has a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Full Biography
October 4, 2017
What's in the air in the rural workplace? From grain dust to rock dust to hospital cleaning chemicals, all these particles have potential to cause chronic lung diseases. But, there are keys to prevention.
August 9, 2017
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is number 3 on the cause of death list. In rural America, it's the sole major chronic disease with increasing death rates. In May 2017, the COPD National Action Plan, a "blueprint for a multi-faceted, unified fight against the disease" was released. Rural stakeholders share perspectives of just how rural Americans with COPD might benefit from the plan's rural touchpoints.
July 12, 2017
Colorectal cancer stands out as a cancer with increased incidence and mortality rates in rural areas – rates that are likely influenced by lack of screening. Using different approaches, two rural healthcare organizations in Idaho and Kentucky show how they are saving lives by improving colorectal cancer screening rates in their communities.
May 31, 2017
Public agencies and private non-profit groups have mutual interests in improving the health of rural Americans. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy and philanthropy organizations worked together to create a unique funding opportunity, the Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program. Two health care organizations and their philanthropy partners share how coordinated efforts benefit patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
May 3, 2017
From over-the-counter medication use, to decisions about personal or family disease treatments, health literacy impacts the most everyday of health decisions. But, distance and internet connectivity challenges make it difficult for rural residents to get health information. To navigate health information gaps, school nurses, newspapers, public libraries, churches, public health departments, and hub-and-spoke academic institutions are working in creative ways.
April 19, 2017
Every rural provider has a horror story attached to low health literacy. Health literacy, or getting, understanding, and using health information, involves two sides. Researchers and experts explain that by understanding both the skills and demands side of health literacy, providers and organizations can help their patients move to improved health.
March 22, 2017
Resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," are a cause of major medical illness and death. Government and accreditation agencies, as well as infectious disease experts, believe hospital antibiotic stewardship programs are the answer to blunting the impact and development of these germs. Despite limited resources, rural and Critical Access Hospitals are activating their stewardship programs.
