The National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services has a new policy brief examining the challenges in rural areas. The brief focuses on the long-standing difficulties and its importance for the well-being and economic stability of rural families. The pandemic brought greater attention to these challenges, along with historic levels of funding to childcare providers through COVID-19 supplemental appropriations to ensure the continued availability of care.
PA State Data Center Publishes New Briefs
See below for new briefs from the Pennsylvania State Data Center. For more information, contact the Data Center at pasdc@psu.edu.
New Brief Highlights Median Household Income in Pennsylvania
Our latest brief details median household income in Pennsylvania. The brief explores differences by race and ethnicity at the state level and compares Black or African American households and White households at the county level. Read more on our Research Briefs page.
Census Bureau Updates
- 2021 County business Patterns
The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2021 County Business Patterns (CBP) First Look data table. This preliminary tabulation includes the number of establishments; employment for the week of March 12, 2021; first quarter payroll; and annual payroll at the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector level for the nation. Final CBP tables for 2021 are scheduled for release in April 2023. Click here to learn more.
- New National Experimental Data Product about Wellbeing
The U.S. Census Bureau released the first set of estimates from the National Experimental Wellbeing Statistics (NEWS) project, an experimental data product that uses a new methodology to calculate income and poverty estimates. Click here to learn more.
- New data from phase 3.7 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS)
The HPS is an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to provide near real-time data on how the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in social and economic conditions are affecting people’s lives to inform federal and state response and recovery planning. Click here to explore the data.
Just Launched: An Introduction to Value-Based Care in Oral Health
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is offering a new self-paced online course, “An Introduction to Value-Based Care in Oral Health: Moving from Volume to Value.” The one-hour course identifies how value-based care in oral health can improve patients’ health outcomes while benefiting providers and payors. It offers 1 CE credit and includes a collection of resources and references to learn more about the topic.
Pennsylvania Health Equity Office Publishes Implicit Bias Toolkit
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Office of Health Equity published an Implicit Bias Toolkit. The toolkit provides resources to reduce implicit bias and explicit bias in clinical healthcare settings. The toolkit includes tools to avoid bias and resources to address discrimination in healthcare.
New Study Released: Silver Diamine Fluoride Effectiveness
A study of almost 3,000 children found silver diamine fluoride may be as effective as dental sealants for caries prevention. The study was reported in JAMA Network Open. The objective was to determine the noninferiority of silver diamine fluoride with fluoride varnish versus traditional glass ionomer sealants with fluoride varnish after two years when provided to children via a school-based health care program.
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) New Overview Fact Sheet
As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ongoing efforts to provide up-to-date information to prepare for the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, which is expected on May, 11, 2023, we are providing a new overview fact sheet on CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. COVID-19 efforts have been a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, and with the use of whole-of-government approach, the country is in a better place. Over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations.
The CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency provides clarity on several topics including:
- COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments;
- Telehealth services;
- Health Care Access
In the coming weeks, CMS will be hosting stakeholder calls and office hours to provide additional information. Please visit the CMS Emergencies Page for continuous updates regarding PHE sunsetting guidance as information becomes available to the public.
2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs Has Been Released
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs (also known as Medicare Part D). The notice includes payment updates and star rating updates for both parts of Medicare, a one-time growth rate adjustment for Medicare Advantage, and technical updates to the Medicare Advantage risk adjustment model. Also included are significant Medicare Part D changes required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and which will go into effect next January including reduced cost-sharing for insulin, eliminated cost-sharing for preventive vaccines, eliminated cost-sharing for Part D prescription drugs in the catastrophic phase, and expanded eligibility for full cost-sharing and premium subsidies under the Low-Income Subsidy program. The comments are due by March 3, 2023.
New Articles Have Been Published on Hospitals, Elective Surgery, Electronic Health Records, Immunization, and Community Health Workers
The latest alert holds five journal articles written by the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Centers.
Read About New Research Regarding Telehealth Recovery Coaching for Post-Discharge Engagement
Researchers looked at records for 917 patients who engaged with a peer recovery coach via telehealth after discharge from emergency departments for opioid use. The investigation focused on one Indiana-based hospital system that included six hospitals located in cities and seven that had rural Critical Access Hospital designations. Of the findings showing value to rural patients, living in a strictly rural area was associated with an 80 percent greater rate of successful follow-up.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announced There Would be Two Billion Dollars in Funding For Clean Drinking Water in Rural Communities
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new investments in safe and clean water specifically for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes several initiatives to address environmental harms such as polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – found in water, air, fish, and soil that are linked to harmful health effects. See Funding and Approaching Deadlines below for ongoing opportunities from the EPA.