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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Statistics and data

Apr 19, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on proposed updates to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) – Household and Medical Provider Components (MEPS-HC). Proposed changes include wording changes that will help identify telehealth utilization and access, as well as maintain consistency between Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems 5.1 and MEPS-HC questionnaire items. Comments are due by June 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that telepharmacy increased access to pharmacy services following the pandemic. Telepharmacy records in a Midwest health system show that use of the service increased significantly between 2019 and 2022, attributed to COVID-19 impacts. Discusses the impact on rural residents.
Source: Specialty Pharmacy Continuum
Apr 16, 2024 - A new partnership between 2 rural Iowa communities and the Iowa Rural Vitality Coalition aims to improve quality of life and health for residents. The project will guide the rural towns through a evaluation and planning framework to identify assets and deficiencies, develop baseline data, and identify solutions for improving those metrics.
Source: ExploreSEIowa.com
Apr 15, 2024 - The Census Bureau has renewed the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC), which provides advice to the Director of the Census Bureau on the economic, housing, demographic, socioeconomic, linguistic, technological, methodological, geographic, behavioral, and operational variables affecting the cost, accuracy, and implementation of Census Bureau programs and surveys, including the decennial census.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 15, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold a virtual public meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations (NAC) on May 2, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Eastern. The NAC addresses policy, research, and technical issues related to Census Bureau programs and activities, including decennial, demographic and economic statistical programs, field operations, and information technology. The agenda and information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the NAC website.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 10, 2024 - Discusses population trends for Amish communities based on the need for land and healthcare. Notes that some rare genetic diseases are present in Amish populations and discusses healthcare access challenges related to insurance status and transportation. Highlights an Ohio clinic primarily treating Amish patients.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Apr 8, 2024 - Notice from the Census Bureau announcing the renewal of the Bureau of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee. The Committee provides advice to the Director of the Census Bureau on the full range of Census Bureau programs and activities including communications, decennial, demographic, economic, field operations, geography, information technology, and statistics.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 8, 2024 - Discusses the mortality rate disparity between rural and urban residents following recent research showing the gap has widened to 43% in 2019 from 6% in 1999 for adults between 25 and 54. Offers analysis by experts on causes of this disparity including social vulnerability factors, community vitality, and insurance rates. Discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on current mortality rates.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Apr 2, 2024 - Highlights population shift trends between urban and rural places. Notes that the highest rural county gains were in those closest to metropolitan areas. Discusses current data alongside pre-pandemic patterns as well as state level trends.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Mar 26, 2024 - Summarizes recent research investigating prescription treatment for rural residents with opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Finds that rural residents with dual diagnoses are unlikely to be prescribed medication to treat both disorders.
Source: HealthDay News