- RPHARM Program Fulfills Need for Rural Pharmacists
- Farmers Don't Do Mental Health
- A Pilot Program in Rural Vermont Hopes to Build a Blueprint for Substance Abuse Recovery
- Rural Telehealth Extension Reintroduced in Congress
- Students From Across the State Emphasized the Need for Mental Health Resources in Rural Alaska During a Conference
- The South Was the Center of Rural Population Growth Last Year
- How HHS SUD Confidentiality Regulations Will Impact Rural Providers
- VA Announces Expansion of "Close to Me" Cancer Program as Part of the Cancer Moonshot, Bringing Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Closer to Thousands of Veterans
- Navajo Psychiatrist Bridges Gaps Between Native American Culture and Behavioral Health Care
- Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan
- Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers
- Rural Communities Face Primary Care Physician Shortage
- Rural Jails Turn to Community Health Workers To Help the Newly Released Succeed
- Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don't Meet Them.
- Miles for Milk: How Student-Run Grocery Store Reshaped Rural Community's Food Access
Comments Have Been Requested on Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
In this proposed rule, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury propose several updates to strengthen the Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act of 2008 and better ensure that people seeking coverage for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care can access treatment as easily as people seeking coverage for medical treatments. In addition, this rule seeks public input on ways to improve the coverage of mental health and SUD benefits through other provisions of Federal law. Sixty percent of rural Americans live in mental health professional shortage areas. Non-metro adults were more likely than metro adults (43.7% vs. 34.5%) to see a general practitioner or family doctor, as opposed to a mental health specialist for depressive symptoms, and among non-metro adults with depression, fewer than 20% received treatment from a mental health professional. Comments are due by October 2, 2023.
Two National-Level Organizations Supporting Rural Postpartum Health Across the United States
These case studies from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center profile two national organizations doing unique work in the area of rural postpartum health: MomMoodBooster and Pack Health. Both organizations aim to improve postpartum mental health through online content delivery combined with peer coaching support. These may serve as examples to others considering this work.
The CDC Awards for High Obesity Program
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced awards totaling more than $11 million for its program specifically designed to reach U.S. counties with high rates of obesity. Most awards for the five-year program are in rural areas, cited by the CDC as having a higher obesity prevalence. Sixteen land grant universities will work with local cooperative extension services to increase the availability of affordable, healthy foods and safe, convenient places for physical activity.
The American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions Project Has Launched
American Cancer Society (ACS) is recruiting health centers with colorectal cancer screening rates less than 40% (consideration for those less than 60% will be given) for the 2023-2024 Screening Interventions Project. This project leverages quality improvement (QI) strategies and resources to support public health agencies, healthcare providers, and screening advocates across the nation to promote and deliver cancer screening appropriately, safely, and equitably. Quality improvement projects are based on previous structured intervention projects done through shared learning. Healthcare systems will have the opportunity to engage with national partners to share best practices, challenges, and celebrations. ACS staff will provide strategy, materials, training and technical assistance, data and measurement tools, and the latest research to maximize project outcomes. Depending on availability, funding may be available to support health centers participating in this project. Please join PACHC and ACS for a project preview on July 18, from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm, registration is available. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more, contact: Kacie Jankoski.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Goes into Effect Next Week
Mark your calendar: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) goes into effect on June 27. Under the PWFA, employers with 15 or more employees must engage in the interactive process with pregnant employees and make reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions — as long as the accommodations do not pose an undue hardship on the employer. Read this article on the PWFA from HRMorning.
American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Interventions Project Has Launched
American Cancer Society (ACS) is recruiting health centers with colorectal cancer screening rates less than 40% (consideration for those less than 60% will be given) for the 2023-2024 Screening Interventions Project. This project leverages quality improvement (QI) strategies and resources to support public health agencies, healthcare providers, and screening advocates across the nation to promote and deliver cancer screening appropriately, safely, and equitably. Quality improvement projects are based on previous structured intervention projects done through shared learning. Healthcare systems will have the opportunity to engage with national partners to share best practices, challenges, and celebrations. ACS staff will provide strategy, materials, training and technical assistance, data and measurement tools, and the latest research to maximize project outcomes. Depending on availability, funding may be available to support health centers participating in this project. Please join PACHC and ACS for a project preview on July 18, from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm, registration is available. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more, contact: Kacie Jankoski.
OB/GYN Training Programs are Trying to Adjust to Post-Dobbs Reality
Abortion restrictions are forcing some medical residents to travel from their home state to learn how to perform an abortion as a part of their medical training. Some experts fear that if OB-GYN residents can’t access comprehensive abortion training, handling complicated pregnancies later in their careers could be challenging. Read more.
Anti-Bias Rules Set to Take Effect in Pennsylvania
More than a year after they entered the regulatory pipeline, the state’s strongest-ever protections for LGBTQ people are slated to take effect in August. The anti-discrimination rules expand the definition of sex to include sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Other provisions provide expanded definitions for race and religious creed. Previously, the terms had been largely undefined in the state’s two main anti-discrimination laws, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act. The laws bar discrimination in employment, education, housing, commercial property, and public accommodations. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission published the new rules in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The rules are scheduled to take effect on August 16. State lawmakers, meanwhile, are still hoping to pass a bill called The Fairness Act, which would ban discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity, real or perceived.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Goes into Effect Next Week
Mark your calendar: The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) goes into effect on June 27. Under the PWFA, employers with 15 or more employees must engage in the interactive process with pregnant employees and make reasonable accommodations for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions — as long as the accommodations do not pose an undue hardship on the employer. Read this article on the PWFA from HRMorning.
Behavioral Health Conditions Reach Crisis Levels: Counties Urge Stronger Intergovernmental Partnerships and Outcomes
Several rural counties are featured in a report from the National Association of Counties on behavioral health needs and access challenges.