This resource summarizes a report that found rural Americans are more likely to experience tooth decay than their urban counterparts. It explores teledentistry as a solution to addressing the disparity and discusses states that have introduced legislation to establish teledentistry and expand access to oral health services. Read more here.
Using Data to Define Rural Populations
This resource offers a step-by-step guide for developing a rural community baseline dataset, and identifies links to helpful resources and existing datasets, with the intent to help State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) focus on the demographics influencing health and the health needs of the rural communities within their state. Read more here.
Quantifying the Impact of the Rural Health Safety Net
This resource examines the vulnerability of 453 rural hospitals based on financial and operational metrics. It includes the Rural Vulnerability Study, infographics, and presentation slides on this analysis from the 2020 National Rural Health Association Policy Institute. It also provides state data tables showing the financial impact of federal policies on rural hospitals. Find more information here.
Prevalence of Children Aged 3-17 Years With Developmental Disabilities, by Urbanicity: United States, 2015-2018
This article presents results of a study examining geographic disparities in diagnoses of developmental disabilities and use of related services. It features statistics with breakdowns by prevalence of various conditions and by urban or rural location. Read more here.
Poverty Rates by Region and Metro/Nonmetro Status, 2014-18 Average
This resource presents a bar chart showing metropolitan and nonmetro poverty rates for the Northeast, Midwest, West, and South. Find more information here.
Patient and Hospital Factors Associated With Unexpected Newborn Complications Among Term Neonates in US Hospitals
This article presents the results of a study to examine the rates of severe, unexpected complications in full term newborns in 576 hospitals from January 2015 – December 2017. It explores whether rates vary significantly among hospitals and looks at risk factors and possible causes of variation. It also features statistics on characteristics of mothers, hospitals, and delivery types, and median percentage of rural population in the counties where deliveries occurred. Read more here.
National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services Meeting Summary, Washington, D.C., September 9-12, 2019
This resource summarizes the 86th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS), which was held in Washington, D.C. It presents an overview of national perspectives on several topics, including issues impacting rural children, youth, and families; the priorities of federal agencies regarding rural health; the implications of federal policy changes on rural providers; and challenges and opportunities affecting older rural Americans. It features perspectives from national stakeholder groups. Read more here.
How to Better Support Small Physician-led Accountable Care Organizations: Recent Program Updates, Challenges, and Policy Implications
This resource describes the strategies of successful small physician-led Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). It discusses how policy changes contribute to the opportunities and challenges for these ACOs. It also explores how “ACO Enablers” aid small ACOs in participating in risk-bearing models. It includes a brief discussion of how the ACO Investment Model program supported ACOs in rural and underserved areas with access to capital. Read more here.
Head Start Program Transportation in Rural Areas
This resource discusses the role of transportation in Head Start programs and provides planning and implementation information. It includes information on funding and training, and provides several case studies of Head Start programs that provide transportation. Find more information here.
An Emerging Model for Community Health Worker-Based Chronic Care Management for Patients With High Health Care Costs in Rural Appalachia
This article describes a community health worker-based chronic care management model (CHW-Based CCM) conducted in rural counties within 3 central Appalachian states. It demonstrates how to engage health insurance companies to support and sustain the CHW-Based CCM model. Read more here.