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Huge thanks to everyone who entered the RTT Collaborative’s 2023 Photo Contest!! There were so many lovely submissions, and we had a difficult time picking through the talent to pick the few winners. That being said, we’re extremely proud of these five selections who won…
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Latest News
News stories via the Rural Health Information Hub News stories of interest to rural health, with information provided via the Rural Health Information Hub
- Nighttime Harvests Protect Farmworkers From Extreme Heat, but Bring Other Riskson September 27, 2023 at 5:00 am
In an attempt to avoid dangerous heat during harvest, some farmworkers are working at night. Outlines risks and challenges associated with this work including limited visibility, fatigue, gender-based violence, and childcare. Notes that night work on farms is understudied, and so the risks are not fully understood.
- For Rural Communities, Broadband Expansion Is No Single Thingon September 26, 2023 at 5:00 am
Describes the challenges with providing high-speed internet service in rural communities, discussing in particular infrastructure and affordability issues. Notes that reliable high-speed internet can provide better access to healthcare and emergency services.
- Small-Town Fire Department Helps Fill Gaps in Postpartum Careon September 26, 2023 at 5:00 am
Highlights Project Swaddle, a program run by a rural Indiana fire department providing education and care to pregnant and postpartum women. Discusses a national trend of declining access to maternal care in local hospitals and mortality. Results show a reduction in emergency department visits and higher breastfeeding rates among other successes.
- Treating Rural America: The Last Doctor in Townon September 25, 2023 at 5:00 am
Part 1 of a documentary discussing shortages of physicians in rural areas. Offers overview of why shortages exist including historic trends in physician training, clinic ownership trends, facility closures, and more. Captions are available in the video player.
- FCC Seeks Further Comment on 5G Fund for Rural Americaon September 22, 2023 at 5:00 am
Requesting comments on the Federal Communications Commission plan to increase 5G service to rural communities. Specific issues include budget allocation, defining areas eligible for bidding, inclusion of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, inclusion of cybersecurity and supply chain risk management plans, and use of the Open Radio Access Networks. Comments can be submitted electronically at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/ or mailed by October 23rd.
- Primary Care Providers Can Play Key Role in Delivering Survivorship Care in Rural Areason September 20, 2023 at 5:00 am
Discusses care coordination between primary care physicians and specialists for rural cancer survivors. Notes that good communication between the care team can ensure that each participant understands everyone's scope of practice and what guidelines are being followed. Describes a project offering educational intervention to primary care physicians and tracking quality measures to find improvement in guideline-concordant care.
- Encouraging Rural Participation in Population-Based Total Cost of Care Models Request for Input (RFI)on September 20, 2023 at 5:00 am
Request for input from rural stakeholders by the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) on issues and opportunities around population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC). Particular areas of interest include rural definitions, characteristics and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, characteristics and needs of rural providers, barriers to participations in alternative payment models, value-based care, social determinants of health, workforce development, and more. Comments can be emailed to PTAC@HHS.gov by October 20th.
- How Will Rural Americans Fare During Medicaid Unwinding? Experts Fear They're on Their Ownon September 20, 2023 at 5:00 am
Describes the role of navigators tasked with helping guide people through health insurance enrollment, particularly during the Medicaid unwinding process. Notes that disenrollment could disproportionately impact rural residents who already disproportionately experience barriers to care. Navigators are more likely to be located in urban areas or cover large regions. States that other methods for receiving assistance have proven unreliable. Discusses data gathering techniques that make it challenging to understand rural and urban differences.
- HHS Awards $45 Million in Grants to Expand Access to Care for People with Long COVIDon September 20, 2023 at 5:00 am
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $45 million, through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to support existing multidisciplinary Long COVID clinics in the U.S. Seeks to expand access to care for populations disproportionally impacted by Long COVID, including underserved, rural, vulnerable, and minority populations.
- Northeastern Receives $17.5 Million from CDC to Launch Infectious Disease Prediction Centeron September 19, 2023 at 5:00 am
Announcement of funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a new innovation center focusing on detecting and preparing for infectious disease, particularly for rural areas. The center will use surveillance and data to help local healthcare facilities and other government officials respond to predicted outbreaks.
Helpful Resources
Rural resources via the Rural Health Information Hub Resources, reports, and other documents on rural health topics from a variety of sources, with information provided via the Rural Health Information Hub
- A Predictive Model of Hospital Choice for Rural Residents Seeking Surgeryon September 28, 2023 at 6:41 pm
Webinar discussing research on factors impacting rural patient choice for inpatient surgery. Discusses healthcare quality and patient outcomes in Critical Access Hospitals, the impact of patient bypass on rural facilities, and characteristics of hospitals, patients, and surgeries associated with bypass. Transcript available in the video description. -- The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
- Full Course List: Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutionson September 28, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Features a list of behavioral health courses offered through the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions. All courses are offered for free via a free Relias account. -- National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Influenza, Tdap, and COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage and Hesitancy Among Pregnant Women — United States, April 2023on September 28, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Examines influenza, Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among women pregnant during the 2022-23 influenza season. Includes data on vaccination coverage for those living in rural and nonrural areas. -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Predicting Hospital Choice for Rural Residents Seeking Elective Surgeryon September 28, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Webinar summarizing research on patient choice in elective surgery. Discusses the impact of patient choice on rural hospital financial viability, patient and hospital factors impacting choice, and opportunities for further research. Transcript available in the video description. -- The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
- Complementary Feeding Interventions for Infants and Young Children Under Age 2: Scoping of Promising Interventions to Implement at the...on September 28, 2023 at 4:37 pm
Provides a scoping review of interventions related to complementary feeding, or introduction to foods other than breast milk or formula, of infants and young children. Includes information on interventions in a variety of settings, including those that can be scaled to rural or tribal areas. -- Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- Nevada Medicaid Cost Driver Analysison September 28, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Report analyzing Medicaid data from 2016-2022 to determine drivers of healthcare costs in Nevada. Data analyzed by plan type, service category, geography, age, and sex. -- Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
- Mental Health of Agricultural Adolescents and Adults: Preliminary Results of a Five-year Studyon September 28, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Surveyed 122 farm families in 2021 to analyze symptoms of depression and anxiety in farm adults and their children as well as correlation between mental health and finances using the Family Stress Model. Participant characteristics include rurality and various physical and mental health measures.
- Cancer Survivorship Challenges of Rural Older Adults: A Qualitative Studyon September 28, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Examines the perspectives of rural, older cancer survivors regarding their experiences, challenges, and related recommendations. Provides feedback from 27 former cancer patients regarding survivorship care plans, communication with their healthcare team, and transportation, financial, psychological, diet, and physical health challenges.
- Rural New York: Challenges and Opportunitieson September 27, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Provides comparative data for the 10 rural counties in New York. Discusses issues such as transportation, aging and overall declining population, shrinking labor force, and lack of access to adequate housing, food, healthcare, and broadband. -- Office of the New York State Comptroller
- Emergency Department Preparedness to Care for Sexual Assault Survivors: A Nationwide Studyon September 27, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Surveys 315 sexual assault (SA) advocates to determine emergency department staff preparedness and available resources for SA survivors. Discusses rural and urban access to sexual assault nurse examiners and implications for quality of care.