A Philadelphia family of four must make more than $70,000 a year just to survive, a new report says – a stunning sum beyond the reach of most residents in a city beset by high poverty and meager chances. According to the newly released study based on 2019 data, two adults with one preschooler and one school-age child have to take in $70,613 to meet their needs without receiving public assistance or help from relatives or friends. Read more.

In 2017, the death rate for opioid overdoses in Appalachian counties was an astounding 72 percent higher than in non-Appalachian counties. “A good job can change a lot”, said Greg Puckett, Commissioner for Mercer County, West Virginia during a seminar event hosted this week by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and ARC focusing on the opioid crisis in Appalachia. The seminar, which included two panel discussions, focused on effective solutions and  how counties can best look toward the future to strengthen communities for long-term growth. It was a capstone event of on an ongoing partnership between partnership between NACo and ARC offering recommendations, best practices, and case studies to counties to help address the situation.

A new fact sheets series is available recapping ARC’s regional and state specific investments showing that ARC invested nearly $177 million into the region, attracting nearly $247 million in matching funds and over $542.5 million in leveraged private investment during fiscal year 2019. These investments are projected to create or retain more than 17,300 jobs and train/educate over 51,000 students and workers. 70 percent of ARC’s FY 2019 investment dollars will benefit distressed counties and areas throughout the region.

 

Provides an overview of the unique challenges rural communities face serving parents with substance abuse issues, including provider shortages, limited access to health insurance, transportation and technological barriers, and lack of routine cross-systems collaboration with the child welfare system. Offers strategies to overcome these challenges in rural communities.

Jan 14, 2020 — Discusses the projected decline in the number of physicians in rural areas, a Montana State University professor attributes the drop to minimal career opportunities for spouses, isolation, and lack of entertainment in rural areas. Describes how policy and recruitment programs have attempted to lure physicians to rural areas, but the need is more prominent as health disparities increase.

Feb 3, 2020 — Many rural residents struggle to access healthcare services, often traveling far distances, due to a shortage of providers. Features strategies used by medical schools across the country that encourage young doctors to practice in rural areas.

 

National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan discusses his organization’s work on the national and global stages and shares his rural health predictions for 2020.

The 2019 Monitoring the Future Survey results were released in December 2019. Tracking annual drug use and attitudes among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, the survey noted encouraging trends such as prescription opioid misuse among teens continuing to decline and cigarette use down by approx. 20-30 percent compared to the mid- 1990’s. However, survey results show a continued dramatic increase in vaping.  Learn more and view the infographics here.

The State Health Assessment (SHA), originally published in 2013, reports on the health status of the population in Pennsylvania including factors that contribute to health issues, specific populations most impacted, and resources that can be mobilized to address population health improvement. During the past year, three sections were updated to show current health indicators and identifying trends that affect public health. The new sections, along with an updated introduction, can be found at the SHA web page.

The 2019 updates are:

• Major Risks and Protective Factors
• Maternal and Child Health
• Health Care Services