Examines trends in physician density in rural and urban counties among primary care physicians, medical specialists, surgical specialists, or other specialists. Features statistics with breakdowns by large metropolitan, medium or small metropolitan, or rural counties.

Presentation slides from a January 21, 2021, webinar on Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model Community Transformation Track. Discusses the track's key concepts and payment policies as well as how capitated payments will be calculated throughout the duration of the model. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Recording of a December 3, 2020, webinar providing an overview of the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model application submission and award selection process. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Recording of an October 27, 2020, webinar responding to frequently asked questions regarding the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model Transformation Track. Provides an overview of the model, including the application timeline, eligibility, payment, benefit enhancements, overlap between tracks, and Medicaid participation. -- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Presents a study on whether a 2002 change in the way the American Medical College Application System (AMCAS) tracks race/ethnicity data accurately represents medical school applicants, matriculants, and graduates who self-identify as American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN). Discusses the change in AMCAS' data collection around race and ethnicity for medical students and examines data from a cohort of AI/AN applicants and graduates from 1996-2017.

Results of an email survey of 1,009 elected officials, to gather information about their attitudes toward vaccines and the Pennsylvania state government's response to COVID-19. Features statistics on the percentages of officials likely to get vaccinated, who felt the state's response had been effective, and who had recently attended municipal meetings in virtual, in-person, or hybrid formats, with breakdowns by rural or urban location. -- Center for Rural Pennsylvania

Analyzes relationships between Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) program implementation and physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and self-efficacy for improving these behaviors among church members in a southeastern, medically underserved county in a rural area. Features data and statistics on participants' health behaviors and self-efficacy at baseline and at a 12-month follow-up.

Examines how telehealth may be used to improve healthcare quality, reduce costs, improve access to care, and meet other policy objections. Presents recommendations for telehealth policy after the COVID-19 pandemic. -- RAND Corporation

A roadmap for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinating the national response across all federal departments and agencies. Centered around seven goals addressing mitigation, vaccination, and other key areas. Goal 6 focuses on protecting those most at risk and advancing equity across racial, ethnic, and rural/urban lines. Includes information on rural and tribal issues throughout, including addressing vaccine hesitancy and access to vaccines in hard-to-reach communities. -- The White House

Research brief comparing Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) payments in rural and urban hospitals. Organizes differences in payment percentage by Medicare payment classification and hospital size by acute bed numbers. Comparisons reflect data for all acute care short-term hospitals, not including those exempt from OPPS. -- North Carolina Rural Health Research Program

Examines the effects of rural hospital closures on rural residents. Discusses the distance residents in the service areas of closed facilities had to travel to access common healthcare services between 2012 and 2018, as well as the availability of providers over time. Compares the health status of Medicare beneficiaries in services areas with and without hospital closures. -- Government Accountability Office

Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries. -- University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center

Highlights an examination of access to fruit and vegetables in small rural stores across the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Details a survey of several small stores scattered throughout the Navajo Nation and discusses the food options in these rural stores.

Reports on rates of children receiving child protective services, children who died of abuse and neglect, and children who are victims of maltreatment using data collected from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). Offers information on availability and access to child protective services at the state and territory level, including how some counties respond to child abuse and neglect screenings, referrals, and the provision of services. -- Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

An interview with Kim Barber Tieman, program director for health and human services for the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, sharing how the foundation has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses efforts to help West Virginia organizations navigate and apply for federal funding opportunities, support for mobile COVID testing units to better reach communities of color, support for telehealth infrastructure, and a wide range of other activities to help meet the needs of the vulnerable and disenfranchised. -- Rural Health Information Hub