Infant mortality rose for the second consecutive year in 2022, with a 3% increase. The five leading causes of infant mortality remained the same as in 2021, including infant deaths due to maternal complications, which increased by 9%. This rise is linked to insufficient care in many states. Infant and maternal mortality rates in the US far exceed those of other high-income countries.
HHS Reports to Congress on Maternal Health Crisis
This report from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) cites research showing fewer than half of all rural counties have a practicing obstetrician and reports on federal efforts to improve maternal health outcomes, including rural-focused programs. See the full range of FORHP-supported research on rural maternal health at the Rural Health Research Gateway.
Perspectives on Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Access and Engagement from Rural Family Members and People in Treatment
Interviews with 20 family members in rural Vermont detail facilitators and barriers to using either medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) or illicit opioids. The report comes from the University of Vermont Center on Rural Addiction, one of three FORHP-supported Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders.
Disability and Independence in Rural America: White Paper
The latest report from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services describes disability prevalence in rural areas and federal programs for people with disabilities. The paper outlines key considerations for rural disability services, including access, Medicaid and Medicare coverage, workforce, and telehealth and technology.
New White Paper Details Quality Improvement Through Swing Bed Utlization
Stroudwater has released a new brief detailing how Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) utilization of the swing bed program increased quality scores.
A CAH in southcentral Kentucky needed to improve its risk-adjusted mobility performance scores for its swing bed patients, and their rehabilitation and nursing staff needed to work as a team in motivating their swing bed patients to achieve their mobility goals, heal, and return home.
To learn how we helped this CAH improve its risk-adjusted mobility score by over 20%, please click here.
Recently, we published a white paper detailing how CAHs can enhance their role as providers of high-quality, community-centered care through proactive quality reporting and strategic use of data insights.
To read the full white paper, please click here.
CDC Publishes Collaborative Study on Alzheimer’s Disease, Related Dementia Diagnoses Among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults
The CDC recently released a collaborative study with the Indian Health Service (IHS), and the Alzheimer’s Association providing the first estimates of dementia among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations who receive health care services through IHS. This study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The study found 14% of IHS patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) were early-onset cases (below age 65). However, globally, only 9% of dementia patients have early onset of the disease.
Because the study is limited to AI/AN adults who used IHS health care, the findings cannot be generalized to the entire AI/AN population. The researchers note the rates of Alzheimer’s disease may be underestimated due to AI/AN individuals with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, or another health plan are not reflected in the IHS data unless they received care at an IHS facility.
This study provides baseline data to help IHS, CDC, and other public health and tribal partners in addressing ADRD in AI/AN communities. The findings emphasize the need to implement ADRD risk reduction strategies, to screen and diagnose ADRD in younger populations, and to enhance clinical and community-based services to support AI/AN adults living with dementia and their caregivers.
As part of the National Healthy Brain Initiative (NHBI), CDC offers a Road Map tailored for AI/AN communities as they develop a broad response to ADRD. The Road Map is accompanied by a suite of resources to support AI/AN communities such as a planning guide, a dissemination guide, infographics, flyers and more.
New Brief Published: Changes in Rural Pharmacy Presence 2023
Fred Ullrich, BA; and Keith Mueller, PhD
This data brief continues the RUPRI Center’s series of reports exploring the availability of retail pharmacy services in rural areas of the U.S. It provides information on rural communities that have kept, lost, or gained a retail pharmacy between 2018 and 2023.
Read the full report here.
Additional products:
- Update on Rural Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in the United States, 2003-2021
- Rural and Urban Pharmacy Presence – Pharmacy Deserts
For more information, contact
Keith J. Mueller, PhD; keith-mueller@uiowa.edu
Director, RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
University of Iowa College of Public Health
Pennsylvania Health Advisories on Emerging Substances in the Illicit Drug Supply Issued
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued two Health Advisories on emerging substances in the illicit drug supply in Pennsylvania
· Health Advisory – 762 – ADV – Medetomidine, a Potent Non-opioid Veterinary Sedative, Has Been Detected in the Illicit Drug Supply
· Health Advisory – 763 – ADV – Emerging Substances in the Illicit Drug Supply
View a complete list of health advisories on the DOH’s website.
Rural Patients’ Barriers to Care Access: 7 Notes
From Becker’s Hospital Notes
Researchers from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah, both based in Salt Lake City, found that 34% of rural patients said they have easy access to medical specialists.
The Community Health Assessment Survey is the first to focus on patients in rural and frontier areas, according to an Aug. 8 news release from the organizations. Rural counties have fewer than 100 people per square mile while frontier areas have seven people or fewer per square mile. More than 1,700 rural residents across five states participated in the survey.
Here are seven findings:
- About 48% of rural residents said they had seen a physician in the past year, compared to the U.S. average of 85%.
- Forty percent of rural women of the recommended age had never had a mammogram, compared to the national average of 22%.
- Nearly 88% of rural respondents said they knew little or nothing about enrolling in clinical trials.
- One-third of respondents said more telemedicine could help access to care, but only 81% have access to high-speed internet, compared to 91% of Americans nationwide. About 10% of rural areas said they did not have cell coverage.
- Sixty-eight percent people said they were not aware of programs to help pay for medical costs.
- Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they had difficulty accessing cancer screenings.
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents said increasing the number of visit specialists would improve access to care.
Promoting A Healthy Mouth for Every Body: New HRSA Resources Available
Led by HRSA’s Office of Special Health Initiatives, raises awareness about the connection between oral health and overall health. HRSA now has new content on oral health and nutrition, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating as a foundation for good oral health. Additionally, new resources highlight the critical role of oral health during pregnancy, including the importance of maintaining dental care for the well-being of both pregnant people and baby. Discover the latest content and resources to support oral health in the community.