Details efforts by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to provide rural schools with accurate air quality information. Provides an overview of the health impacts of wildfire smoke, actions individuals can take to reduce exposure during fire season, and how to stay updated on air quality information and alerts ..read more

Highlights a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help expand the Wisconsin Tribal Elder Food Box Program. Describes how the program works to support tribal food security through the distribution of boxes filled with culturally-relevant foods purchased from Indigenous food producers ..read more

Features the perspectives of rural doctors on the positive aspects of rural practice, including high quality of life, a varied caseload, and supportive community relationships. Provides overview of rural health disparities and efforts to address provider shortages through loan forgiveness programs ..read more

A Request for Information from the National Library of Medicine for health science and public libraries, health professionals, community organizations, and others to provide guidance on increasing access to biomedical and health information through the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Topics of interest include data science, coordination of services, collaboration strategies, medical library services, and more. Responses may be submitted by email through August 30, 2024 ..read more

Describes the role of dental therapists, a provider type licensed to provide basic preventative care under the supervision of a dentist, in expanding oral healthcare access in rural and underserved communities. Highlights the work of dental therapists in tribal communities in Alaska and Washington, where oral health needs are significant and dentists are in short supply ..read more

Highlights the impact of transportation costs on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between rural and urban areas. Discusses rural grocery store access, broadband access, local industry, and county-level data on SNAP coverage ..read more

Highlights declines in birth rates across time and the associated impact on rural labor and delivery services. Discusses the impact of low service volume on maintaining labor and delivery services and offering high quality healthcare ..read more

Announcement of a public health emergency beginning July 5, 2024 from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) related to Hurricane Beryl in Texas. Offers information and resources for those impacted and responding to the hurricane including CMS waivers, healthcare enrollment, a disaster toolkit, dialysis care, and medical equipment and supplies replacement ..read more

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed calendar year 2025 physician fee schedule rule includes new payments and coverage for digital health and telehealth services. The draft rule contains significant provisions for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers and gives opioid treatment programs more flexibility in their use of telehealth services ..read more

Profiles Thrive Allen County, a Kansas nonprofit rural revitalization organization that recently presented a webinar focusing on how community-driven work in poor rural areas can improve local infrastructure, which in turn can promote better public health ..read more