Webinar Invitation: Keys to Writing a Successful Rural Health Opioid Grant Program Application

June 30, 2017

Join us next Thursday, July 6th at 2 pm Eastern for a webinar to learn the Keys to Writing a Successful Rural Health Opioid Grant Program Application. Teryl Eisinger, Executive Director for the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, will discuss key strategies needed in order to submit a successful Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grant application.

Click here for more information on the webinar.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Please share this information with the communities and stakeholders in your state who are working on this issue.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Chris Salyers
Education and Services Director
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
chris.salyers@nosorh.org

Announcements from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

June 28, 2017

What’s New

CDC Explores Air Quality in Rural Areas.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are rural and urban differences in environmental health data related to air and drinking water quality.  The findings from the latest CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Rural Health Series show that air quality significantly improves as areas become more rural, but measures indicate that water quality decreases. Understanding differences between rural and urban areas can lead to public health interventions geographically targeted to address factors that contribute to poorer health outcomes.

Funding Opportunities

Improved Nutrition Services for Elders – August 7. The Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services grant aims to support innovative and promising practices that enhance the quality and effectiveness of nutrition programs for older adults. Rural communities often face limited access to healthy and affordable food, particularly for their larger elder populations often isolated from friends and family and managing chronic health conditions. The HHS Administration for Community Living (ACL) will provide up to $250,000 to four applicants whose program outcomes should include improved collaboration with local health care entities, lower health care costs for specific populations, or reduced need for institutionalizing older adults.

Support for Veteran and Minority Farmers and Ranchers – August 7. Community-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, colleges and universities, and tribal entities are encouraged to apply for the USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers program. Funded applicants will receive up to $200,000 to enhance access to USDA agricultural programs and services for socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers while also providing training to support those populations’ farm and ranch ownership and operation. Agriculture presents significant occupational health challenges for rural residents in addition to the existing health disparities for veterans and socially disadvantaged groups.

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Upcoming “Adult Immunization & Billing Summit”

June 27, 2017

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS), Bureau of Immunization’s is holding an “Adult Immunization & Billing Summit”, on July 20 & 21, 2017.

MDHSS will also cover the travel costs of one Clinic Manager, Physician, or Nurse from a Federally Qualified Health Center or health system to attend the conference.

Click here for registration details and contact information.

Announcements from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

June 22, 2017

What’s New

Continuing Population Loss for Rural Areas.  USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) tracks demographic change in non-metro areas and conducts research to help explain the relationship between population change and socio-economic well-being of rural residents. In its Population & Migration report released last week, the ERS finds that 14% of residents live in non-metro counties across the U.S., which cover 72 percent of the nation’s land area. This is only a -0.4 percentage loss over last year, but population loss is not evenly distributed across all rural areas. For those regions experiencing the most out-migration, ERS identifies rising unemployment, housing market challenges and energy sector developments as factors in a continuing decline in rural populations.

HHS Cybersecurity Keeps an Eye on Threats.  Last week, Microsoft and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported on vulnerabilities with Microsoft products similar to those that allowed the “WannaCry” virus to shut down large computer networks in May. DHS has identified a new threat, labeled “Hidden Cobra” that could possibly target health care and public health systems in the U.S.  Rural facilities may not be targeted as much as larger systems, but they may be less likely to have the resources to respond if they are hit, so it is especially important to remain vigilant and avoid these threats altogether.   HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) monitors cyber threats and maintains an up-to-date website with resources that may help.

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