Rural Health
News by Topic: Health disparities
Apr 23, 2024 - Announces the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (National Strategy) and the associated Federal Action Plan, a plan developed by 10 federal departments. The National Strategy offers recommendations for addressing needs for at-risk populations. Highlights suicide rate disparities for various race and ethnicities. Includes links to the National Strategy, the Federal Action Plan, and other resources for mental healthcare access and substance abuse services.
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
CDC: Meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Office of Readiness and Response
Federal Register
Apr 22, 2024 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a virtual public meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors, Office of Readiness and Response (BSC, ORR) on May 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern. The agenda includes an organizational update; an overview of the Division of Readiness and Response Science; Division Directors follow-up discussion; polio containment working group updates; healthy equity working group updates; and more. Registration to attend the meeting is required.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 19, 2024 - Summarizes a recent Arizona meeting addressing higher suicide rates in Native American communities. Notes the impact that long travel distances for reservation residents can negatively impact mental health. Discusses the role of historical trauma in disparate rates.
Source: Cronkite News
Apr 15, 2024 - Highlights the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program, a program addressing physician shortages in rural areas. The program focuses on training physicians for the varied needs of rural and remote regions where residents face health disparities and less access to emergency and specialty healthcare.
Source: Essentia Health
Apr 15, 2024 - Discusses the social and economic factors contributing to early mortality for Native Americans. Highlights community health workers, food insecurity, generational trauma, and interventions attempting to reduce disparities.
Source: CBS News, KFF Health News
Apr 10, 2024 - Highlights the work of promotoras in rural Northern California including assisting eligible residents with enrolling in Medicaid. Discusses the impact of Health Provider Shortage Areas (HPSAs) on healthcare access, policy, and insurance access for undocumented farmworkers.
Source: Ethnic Media Services
Apr 10, 2024 - Highlights efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Kentucky by identifying contributing factors and implement best practices in those areas through the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (KyMMM) Task Force. Notes that rural residents and other groups have disparate rates of mortality. In addition to this program, the Perinatal Community Health Worker Program has been established to connect pregnant and postpartum people with culturally relevant services. Offers contact information to learn more about the programs or to explore joining the KyMMM Task Force.
Source: UK Now
Apr 4, 2024 - Discusses mortality disparities for rural and urban communities across Northeast Ohio and potential reasons including healthcare access, workforce shortages, limited transportation options, and inadequate broadband.
Source: Ideastream Public Media
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