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.
Commentary: Meatpacking Workers Like My Family Deserve Protection During and After Pandemic
Masks, gowns, and other protective gear aren’t enough. Mental health services, better wages, and a path to citizenship should all be on the table.
More RUral Health Stories
White House Staffers Brief Rural Health Advocates on Biden’s American Rescue Plan
The Biden administration wants to provide vaccines to federally qualified health centers serving hard-to-reach populations. Also on the table is $160 billion in community support for supplies, testing , and public health personnel.
Rural Health System Part of Operation Warp Speed Trials for Covid-19 Treatments
On the Canadian border of Upstate New York, a small health system is a rare example of rural-based clinical trials for treating Covid-19.
In Hard-Hit Indian Country, Tribes Rapidly Roll Out Vaccines
The Tribal Nations across America race against the clock to vaccinate their elders who are the keepers of culture and tradition. For Tribes recognized by the Federal Government it's a success, but others are left out.
Even More to Explore In Rural Health
Rural Covid-19 Cases Drop While Rural Death Rate Holds Steady
The impact of the winter surge continues to be felt in the number of Covid-related deaths that occurred in rural America last week.
New Infections Ease in Rural Counties, but the Number of Deaths Climbs Slightly
New cases dropped by 8% last week in rural counties, but the number of new Covid-related deaths climbed by about 1%.
New York Representatives Introduce Legislation to Save Critical Access Hospitals
Proposed bipartisan legislation would put in place safeguards such as public comment period to ensure that facilities currently operating as Critical Access Hospitals can't lose their designation overnight.
What Is a Critical Access Hospital, or CAH?
In the 1990s, Congress responded to a crisis in rural hospital closures with the Critical Access Hospital program. The program provides ways to boost the financial health of small, mostly rural hospitals. But a new set of threats looms.
Rural Residents Appear to Be More Vulnerable to Serious Infection or Death From Covid-19
Health experts identified older age, underlying medical conditions and overall difficulty in accessing medical care as the main factors contributing to worse health outcomes among rural populations.
January Generates Record Number of Covid-Related Deaths in Rural Counties
The number of new infections declined 17% in rural America last week, but the number of deaths declined only slightly.