In-depth stories examining key rural health issues.
October 14, 2020
Wondering about animal-to-human diseases? Or human medical conditions related to the environment? Federal experts join health educators to talk about how understanding a One Health approach for human, animal, and environmental health can be helpful for rural healthcare organizations.
September 9, 2020
Contact tracing is an important step in preventing further spread of the coronavirus. Alaska's AHEC program, a center for public health in Washington, and a national public health foundation share their training strategies while an IHS hospital in Arizona discusses its in-person contact tracing initiative.
August 26, 2020
From decreasing stigma to increasing treatment access and the impact of COVID-19, experts and rural healthcare organizations speak out on alcohol use and misuse in rural America.
July 29, 2020
Referred to as a form of "modern-day slavery," human trafficking occurs in every state and is not limited by the size of a community. Health services are one of the most common points of access to a lifeline for those actively being trafficked, giving healthcare professionals an advantage to help victims escape. A rural hospital CEO, a SORH director, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, and a Safe Harbor Regional Navigator share how they combat human trafficking through training and raising awareness.
July 15, 2020
Advance care planning — planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis — has always been intended for all people, all ages, with or without a chronic disease. Clinicians talk about the challenges of these conversations now that COVID-19 has nudged planning from the realm of the theoretical future to current reality.
June 17, 2020
It is the most costly of chronic medical conditions. Described by some as "hidden" conditions, experts talk about the complex needs of rural Americans with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias and their caregivers.
June 3, 2020
Vaping among teens is on the rise, and rural teenagers have little access to cessation programs. California-based Being Adept and two Tennessee counties are helping their students learn how vaping negatively impacts their health while My Life, My Quit is helping teens in 18 states quit.
April 29, 2020
COVID-19 physical distancing measures impact vulnerable populations, including rural children experiencing maltreatment and those living in situations of intimate partner violence. Clinicians and other experts said community awareness, frank discussions, and changing service delivery approaches can make a difference.
April 8, 2020
In the past five years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has delivered two reports to Congress concerning traumatic brain injury. Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are common. With perspectives gained from their varied roles, five experts share information on concussions in rural America.
March 11, 2020
Libraries in South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington work to improve their communities' health by providing monthly programs and teaching patrons and staff how to access reliable health information online.
