Discusses how rural counties, mostly between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, have few pharmacies that can give COVID-19 vaccines, which threatens to prolong the pandemic in many hard-hit rural regions. Without independent pharmacies, health departments may be overwhelmed as the vaccine is opened to the public and the demand increases.

Analyzes COVID-19 vaccination rates in rural America, finds that in 17 of 24 states analyzed, the rate of people who have received their first dose shot in rural areas is as good or better than the rate in metropolitan areas. Discusses potential advantages for increased distribution in rural areas, including fewer competing systems, smaller populations, and close relationships.

Analyzes new COVID-19 infection rates by county between February 21-27, 2021, finding a plateau in improvement in rural counties and a slight increase in new cases in metropolitan counties. Discusses how the extreme weather in the south could potentially skew data reporting. Includes data on COVID-related deaths and additional findings.

Blog post highlights questions rural hospitals should explore to transform traditional approaches to workforce development after the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommends organizations look to online workforce development initiatives and consider different types of programs, program design and development, and program incentives for students.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) allowing the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to be distributed in the U.S for use in individuals 18 years of age and older. The third vaccine is administered as a single dose and the authorization of its use expands the availability of vaccines to combat COVID-19.

Summarizes research that tracks public attitude and experience with COVID-19 vaccinations as of February 2021. Key findings report that 55% of U.S. adults either have received at least one dose of the vaccine or say they will get it as soon as possible. Describes COVID-19 vaccine enthusiasm by age, rurality, and race and ethnicity, as well as other demographics.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its investment of $42.3 million to help rural residents gain access to healthcare and educational opportunities. Funding is provided to 86 projects through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program and will help bolster remote access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analyzes new COVID-19 infection and death rates between February 14-20, 2021 and finds that the number of COVID-related deaths in rural America dropped by a third, the most significant decline in the rural death rate in more than a month. Additionally, the rate of new infections last week fell by about 30 percent in both metropolitan and rural counties.

Features OSF Healthcare's Health Equities Action Lab (HEAL) which employed a data-driven strategy to address breast cancer disparity outcomes among its Illinois patients, 65 percent of whom live in rural areas. Explores their research which examined data on race and income and identified disparities across all OSF counties. Highlights interventions designed to increase access to mammography services in vulnerable populations.

Highlights efforts by healthcare workers to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to veterans in rural and hard-to-reach areas across the country. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sent doses by plane to rural Montana and partnered with tribal healthcare organizations to reach veterans in rural Alaska.