Keeping rural America strong means building healthy communities. Our healthcare coverage focuses on all the important issues in rural health, including access to critical care, affordability, the future of rural hospitals, the rural response to the Covid-19 pandemic, drug addiction and abuse, and much more.
Rural Infection Rates Dropped While Death Rates Climbed
Rural and metropolitan America had virtually the same Covid-19 infection rates last week. Rural Covid-related deaths jumped by 26%.
More RUral Health Stories
Nurse Midwives Step Up to Provide Prenatal Care After Two Rural Hospitals Shutter Birthing Centers
A group of certified nurse midwives from the University of Iowa helping ensure area women where the local hospital closed its birthing unit can receive related services.
An Oasis in the Desert: Walker River Paiute Tribe Builds a Food Pantry in Response to Covid-19
What started as an ad-hoc program to feed homebound tribal elders turned into a food source for all in need.
Commentary: Dental Care for the Rich, Ridicule for the Poor
More than half of the U.S. population is missing one or more teeth. So why do we respond with derision and prejudice instead of seeing the apparent need to improve access to dental care?
Featured Coverage
Weekly Red-Zone Reports
Keep your finger on the pulse of rural health news.
Even More to Explore In Rural Health
Federal Grants Will Fund Rural Treatment Centers to Address Psychostimulant Overdoses
New federal funding will help rural communities deal with the latest drugs causing overdose deaths – psychostimulants like methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy.
Rural Covid Infections Rise by 14%, Deaths by 27%
Rural America reported its fifth consecutive week of higher numbers of Covid infections. The rural death rate was 50% higher than the metropolitan death rate last week.
The US Mental Health Hotline Network Is Expanding, but Rural Areas Still Face Care Shortages
On July 16, a three-digit number, 988, became the centerpiece of a nationwide effort to unify responses to Americans experiencing mental health crises. But many people, especially those in rural areas, will continue to find themselves far from help if they need more support than call operators can offer.
S’mores and Sensory Rooms: Operation Shine Camp Offers Summer Camp for Autistic Children
The summer camp for 7- to 12-year-olds on the autism spectrum offers a life-changing experience to kids and parents alike, introducing them to tailored activities and a network of support.
Aging Farmers Are at Greater Risk of Suicide, Study Finds
One third of farmers and ranchers are 65 or older, but they represent nearly half of the farmers and ranchers who die by suicide. Farmers may be less likely to share information that indicates they are at risk.
Rural Covid Infections Increase for Fourth Straight Week
The number of Covid-related deaths also increased last week, but the rate remains lower compared to earlier phases of the pandemic.
Recent Studies Uncover Barriers Affecting the Health of Rural LGBTQ People
Researchers looked into the intersection of rurality and sexual orientation, on measures of both physical and social, emotional health.
The Federal Website That’s Supposed to Help ‘Find Treatment’ Needs Work, Experts Say
Experts would like to see the website looking and operating more like social media platforms to help draw more people. They would also like it to be “regionalized” to help reflect the areas it’s providing information on.
Why Small NC Mountain City Is Taking on Nation’s Largest Hospital System
Brevard officials hope other Western North Carolina local governments will join lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices by HCA. None have, but none say they have ruled it out.
Ticks Are a Growing Problem for Rural Areas
The number of disease-carrying ticks and their habitats is expanding year after year. Some researchers believe the climate change is a significant contributing factor.
Gaps in NC Addiction Treatment Disproportionately Hit Rural Residents of Color
A new CDC study found more than 75% of counties don’t have anywhere residents can get methadone, and 30% of counties lack a buprenorphine provider. In North Carolina, rural communities with many Black and Indigenous residents often lack access to care.
Q&A: Efforts to Decriminalize Psychedelics Can Extend to Rural Places, Too
How one rural activist carved the way to decriminalize psychedelics in the small town of Port Townsend, Washington.
Roe v. Wade Decision Could Result in Heavier Burdens on Rural Maternity Units
Fewer than half of rural counties have obstetric units available to their residents. How could a reversal of Roe v. Wade put affect child-birth services in underserved counties?
Rural NC County Puts Trauma Front and Center to Heal Community
A local program trains rural leaders on how to help community members work through difficult past experiences and create systems that will heal rather than harm.
Commentary: Fearing for Your Safety When You’re ‘Just a Country Doctor’
A doctor from rural Washington recounts her fear after the hospital she works in went into lockdown because of a gunman at large.
Rural Communities Deal with Increase in Dangerous Alcohol Usage
States like Alabama are implementing successful programs to counter the increase in alcohol use. While no official data is yet available, clinicians tend to believe the pandemic played a significant role in the rise of alcohol consumption.
Report: Congress Action Necessary to Prevent Rural Hospital Closures
Actions recommended to Congress by a new study from the Bipartisan Policy Center include protections of the telehealth services beyond the current public health emergency and permanent authorization of the Medicare Dependent Hospital program.
Telementoring Program Seeks to Support Miners in Rural Settings
Sharing knowledge is just one component of Miners Health ECHO, which also aims to help miners access benefits they have the legal right to.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.