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.
Communities Struggle with Meth Outside Spotlight of Opioid Crisis
Increase in methamphetamine use in Western North Carolina affects 'misery index,' even if death rate is lower than opioids.
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In Southwest Virginia, Reestablishing a Rural Hospital System Requires Rebuilding Trust
The communities that got their resources extracted and saw the leadership of the country ignore their needs have to see real commitment before they can feel cared for again.
Rural Tennessee Is Losing More Hospitals Than Anywhere in the Country, but Covid-19 Isn’t Fully to Blame
Inadequate funding, old and expensive to maintain equipment and dwindling population are all contributing to the crisis. The resulting lack of healthcare access has negative effects across entire communities.
The Pace of New Rural Vaccinations Slows by 30%
States like Missouri with low vaccination rates are also the ones with the highest rates of new infections.
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Keep your finger on the pulse of rural health news.
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Paying the Bills: The Financial Realities of Health Care and Rural America
Despite the new legislation designed to help with healthcare costs transparency, many rural hospitals still make it difficult for patients to get clear answers in advance of the billing.
New Cases Climb in Rural America; Deaths Increase for the First Time in Two Months
Missouri and surrounding states account for much of the increase. But Florida is emerging as a rural hot-spot as well.
First Person: A Healthcare Reporter Who Asks Questions for a Living Can’t Get a Straight Answer on Her Own Care
Healthcare reporter Liz Carey has a tenacious spirit, 20 years of journalism experience, and lots of formal education. If she can’t get an answer to how her insurance will handle a medical procedure, what chance do the rest of us have?
Rate of Rural Infections Climbs by 25% for the Week
Outbreaks of the Delta variant in Missouri and Arkansas are driving up the rural numbers nationally.
Rural Covid-19 Cases Increase by 11%, While Number of Deaths Continues to Decline
The surge in Missouri has crossed the state line into Arkansas, which accounted for about a third of the increased rural infections last week.
Rural Vaccination Rate Grows by about 0.6% of the Population
Thirty-four percent of rural Americans have completed their Covid-19 vaccinations. In metropolitan counties, the rate is 44.3%.
Digital Navigators Will Guide Less Experienced Users to Telehealth
After access to broadband is secured, it's time to tackle obsolete personal devices and outdated software. Helping you navigate these muddy, electronic waters will be the Digital Navigators at your local library.
Vaccine Effort Helps Businesses Stay Open, Chamber CEO Says
The business chamber helped encourage people of Paris-Henry County to get vaccinated. After initial success that led to the county's reopening, the next challenge is convincing the undecided to get a shot.
Research: Rural Pennsylvania Suicide Rates Are Rising
A study revealed rising suicide rates across the state, with rural rates soaring 25% above urban. Researchers point to deaths of despair, harder access to mental health services as possible reasons.
Rural Covid-19 Vaccinations Continue at Roughly the Same Pace
An additional 1% of the rural population completed their vaccinations last week. Vaccinations continued at a faster pace in metropolitan areas.
Athens Community Comes Together to Vaccinate Residents
Through a partnership between the Athens City-County Public Health, Ohio University, and the Athens City School District, almost 25,000 vaccines made it into the arms of the citizens of Athens County, Ohio.
Some Incarcerated Meatpacking Workers Spent ‘100 percent’ of Their Time in High-Risk Settings During Pandemic
Some meatpacking plant workers found themselves at the intersection of two of the riskiest settings during the pandemic: correctional facilities and meatpacking plants.
Lowest Rates, Highest Hurdles: Southern States Tackle Vaccine Gap
After tackling the supply, access is no longer the main reason for low vaccination rates in the South. Economic circumstances, personal beliefs and fraught relationships with health care providers are what keeps many from getting the shot.
One Third of Rural Population Completes Covid-19 Vaccination
The metropolitan vaccination rate grew at a slightly higher pace, increasing the gap between rural and urban vaccinations to 8.1 percentage points.
Greenbrier County, W.V., Draws on Relationships Forged in 2016 Floods to Coordinate Vaccination Efforts
Businesses stepped up to feed volunteers and host clinics, says the county’s health officer. Now the effort has shifted to reaching those with more complicated schedules and difficulty getting to clinics.
Business Leaders See Economic and Social Value in Vaccination Efforts
At the National Rural Business summit, business leaders, public health officials, and elected officials discussed communication and outreach strategies to connect with rural communities about Covid-19 vaccinations.
How to Talk about Vaccination in Rural Communities: Health Association Releases New Toolkits for Rural Leaders
It’s time to shift the conversation from “the government is telling us what to do” to “how do we solve this problem together,” says rural health leader.
15 States Pass the 40% Threshold for Rural Vaccinations
A diverse set of counties – from Maine to Hawaii – contribute to higher rates in key states and regions.
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