The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provided $424.7 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan to 4,200 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and an additional $35.3 million will be issued later this summer to RHCs that meet eligibility requirements. Funds will expand access to testing for rural residents and help to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 in their communities.

Analyzes COVID-19 vaccination rates in the U.S. as of June 7, 2021, finds that fifteen states have completely vaccinated 40 percent of their rural population. Includes an interactive map of county-level vaccination rates, a map of rural vaccination rates by state, and a chart depicting rural/urban percent of population completely vaccinated.

Summarizes research that found that the difference in rural and urban death rates tripled over the past 20 years. Discusses how limited access to care, behaviors that contribute to poor health, and the economic outlook in rural areas contribute to the mortality gap. Highlights the need to address health disparities between rural and urban residents and among different races.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded $22 million in awards to 56 recipients as part of the Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals. Funding will aid recipient organizations in training graduate students in social work, psychology, and other behavioral and mental health disciplines to work with vulnerable populations, particularly youth at risk for behavioral health disorders.

Analyzes COVID-19 infection rates between May 30-June 5, 2021. Finds that new infections and deaths in rural America have fallen to their lowest levels in a year. Includes an interactive map of COVID-19 infection rates by U.S. county and graphs detailing weekly rates of new deaths and infections since June 2020.

Summarizes a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that found mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) reduce the risk of infection by 91 percent for fully vaccinated people. Additional findings indicated that those who became infected after being fully or partially vaccinated were more likely to have a milder and shorter illness.

Discusses how many rural communities across the U.S. qualify as healthcare deserts, with 16 percent of Americans living 30 miles of more from a hospital. Describes the impact of rural hospital closures, health insurance gaps, and pharmacy deserts. Highlights resources and organizations working to close the healthcare gaps in rural communities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its investment of up to $1 billion in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). $500 million will be used to purchase domestically produced food for state food bank networks, $400 million will support socially disadvantaged farmers, and $100 million aims to expand the reach of food assistance organizations into rural, remote, and low-income communities.

Explores the history of Delta Health Center, the country's first rural community health center, located in the Mississippi Delta. The health center began operations during the civil rights movement to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to all residents, of all races. Describes the impact of COVID-19 and highlights how Delta Health continues to improve health outcomes among rural Black residents.

Analyzes rural and urban COVID-19 vaccination rates. Finds the rural vaccination rate increased by one percentage point to 31.1% as of June 1, 2021. Includes an interactive map of vaccination rates in all U.S. counties and a graph depicting the rural/urban percent of population completely vaccinated.