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Rural Health
News by Topic: Health disparities

Mar 27, 2024 - Request for comments on the draft 2024-2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. The Plan includes goals for promoting health and wellness, enhancing the delivery and experience of healthcare, accelerate research and innovation, and connecting health systems with health data. Objectives for achieving those goals include expanding broadband and technology access and research infrastructure for the benefit of rural residents among others. Comments can be made until May 28th.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mar 26, 2024 - Highlights a study in progress investigating eating disorders in rural Michigan teenagers. The study aims to identify rural environment characteristics and weight stigma that may contribute to eating disorders.
Source: ABC12
Mar 21, 2024 - Executive Order from the Office of the President to advance and integrate women's health across the Federal research portfolio. Directs agency members of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research – Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Director of the National Science Foundation – to develop or strengthen research and data standards that enhance the study of women's health across all relevant, federally funded research and other federal funding opportunities and prioritize grantmaking and other awards to advance women's health research. Among other things, this order directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address research gaps in understanding women's health, diseases, conditions associated with women's midlife and later years and directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to evaluate the needs and develop recommendations related to the midlife health women service members and veterans.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2024 - A charitable donation to a community health center system will increase access to ultrasound technology in Montana and Wyoming as well as train healthcare workforce on new sonography technology. Discusses workforce shortages and the impact of new technology on health outcomes in rural and frontier areas.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Mar 21, 2024 - Summarizes recent research investigating a lung screening program for rural veterans that found higher prevalence of lung cancer in veterans when compared to the prevalence found in the National Lung Screening Trial. Researchers found that the screening method used was successful for high-risk populations.
Source: DocWire News
Mar 20, 2024 - Highlights the Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study, a 6 year study investigating risk and protective factors for lung and heart disease for rural residents in 4 Southern states. Discusses the under-representation of rural residents in research and their recruitment strategies. Notes early results from the study as well as the role large public health studies can play in developing a new generation of researchers.
Source: UVM Today
Mar 19, 2024 - Announcement of a new model from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid for primary care providers in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). The model offers participating providers advanced payments for flexibility and access to resources for optimal primary care delivery. The model will incorporate health equity and address health disparities by targeting low revenue ACOs. The model begins January 1, 2025 for approximately 130 ACOs. Interested organizations much apply for or renew their ACO status between May 20 and June 17 in order to participate in the model.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Mar 19, 2024 - Describes culturally relevant practices for mental healthcare for Native communities. Discusses therapy services available for students at the University of North Carolina and rural communities across North Carolina. Highlights health disparities and factors contributing to those disparities.
Source: The Daily Tar Heel
Mar 19, 2024 - Summarizes recent research finding that rural residents are more likely to have diabetes when compared to urban residents, but the disparity narrowed or even reversed when accounting for activity levels and obesity. Study authors say lifestyle interventions may improve diabetes disparity rates for rural areas. Also notes that tailored interventions may be necessary across rural communities.
Source: Mayo Clinic News Network
Mar 13, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) on April 2-4, 2024. Agenda items are being finalized but may include an update on the federal Healthy Start program; Committee discussions on the workgroup topics of rural healthcare access, social drivers of health, and women's health before/between pregnancies; federal updates; and remarks from individuals with lived experience and community members, including those representing community-based organizations, on how to achieve optimal maternal health and overall birth outcomes for underserved populations. The webinar link and log-in information will be available at the ACIMM website before the meeting. Requests for public comment should be sent via email to SACIM@hrsa.gov.
Source: Federal Register