July 24, 2024
For decades, community health workers (CHWs) provided their services outside usual healthcare reimbursement models. In recent years, with research supporting CHWs as professionals effectively assisting patients with navigating health-related social determinants, federal and private payers are exploring reimbursement mechanisms. Four rural healthcare organizations share both the impact and the continued sustainability challenges — and successes — of their CHW programs.
March 13, 2024
Studies find that rural people have higher rates of hearing loss than urban people but face significant barriers to care. Experts from a hearing clinic in South Dakota, a telehealth program in Alaska, and a nationally available agriculture safety program discuss these barriers, ways to improve access to hearing care, and the importance of hearing conservation.
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.
February 7, 2024
Hoarding disorder can lead to serious health risks and a hazardous home environment, with older adults especially vulnerable – but in rural places, diagnosing and treating the condition can be a challenge.
January 10, 2024
Rural health expert Tim Putnam, DHA, shares leadership perspectives and ideas gained from his roles as a rural hospital CEO, a member of a White House task force, and now in his academic healthcare policy position.
November 29, 2023
Old Dominion University's new mobile clinic is bridging care gaps in underserved communities while providing clinical opportunities to nursing students.
October 4, 2023
Rural hospitals are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attempts to penetrate information systems to create havoc, steal data, or hold information "hostage" for a monetary ransom. Two Critical Access Hospital leaders discuss attacks at their organizations and how they are working to prevent future attacks. An information technology compliance expert also highlights actions organizations can take to better protect themselves from cyber-attacks.
September 6, 2023
In rural communities, where funding is often limited and mental health resources may be scarce, ensuring incarcerated people have access to needed care can be a challenge.
August 23, 2023
The FORHP Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network works to expand public health capacity in rural and tribal areas through job development, training, and placement. Three grantees — a career ladder program in Missouri, a respiratory therapy program in Texas, and a health IT program in Virginia — share stories of changing individuals' lives as well as keeping local talent in their healthcare facilities and communities.