Author: taylot10

Health Workforce Roundtable

Date: June 16, 2022

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) Region 7 will be hosting a Health Workforce Roundtable in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Join HRSA IEA to share about health workforce issues, such as recruitment and retention challenges, successful strategies and innovative models, current technical assistance needs, and opportunities for collaboration.

Date:  Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Time:  10:00 AM CT

Location: Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce Community Room 1111 West Pine Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Register here.

Who Should Attend?

Community and faith-based organizations, hospitals, health centers, rural health clinics, community colleges, and public health departments that would like to share about health workforce issues, such as recruitment and retention challenges, successful strategies and innovative models, current technical assistance needs, and opportunities for collaboration.

For more information, contact HRSAOIEARegion7@hrsa.gov.

Webinar to Learn More about Applying to the Minority Research Grant Program Funding Opportunity

Date: June 17, 2022

Register for our Webinar to Learn More about Applying to the Minority Research Grant Program Funding Opportunity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) would like to remind researchers at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to apply for the Minority Research Grant Program (MRGP) funding opportunity. Review the notice of funding opportunity CMS-1W1-22-001. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 3 PM ET.

If you are interested in learning more about the MRGP and the funding opportunity, CMS OMH is hosting a partner meeting on Wednesday, June 22, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM ET. During the meeting, CMS OMH subject matter experts will provide more information on the MRGP and eligibility requirements, as well as how to apply. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions as time permits. To register, please follow this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cQIYkgf-RlWuumY1wd4LlA

The funding opportunity provides up to $333,000 to researchers at 3 eligible MSIs who are investigating or addressing health care disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

Eligible MSIs include:

  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
  • Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
  • Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)

To learn more about CMS OMH and the MRGP, visit go.cms.gov/minorityresearch, watch the MRGP overview video, or email HealthEquityTA@cms.hhs.gov.

Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Trends in Mental Health Treatment Availability in Community Health and Community Mental Health Centers

Date: June 16, 2022

Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Trends in Mental Health Treatment Availability in Community Health and Community Mental Health Centers

Community mental health centers (CMHCs) and community health centers (CHCs) are two types of federally funded sites where persons may seek mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to show how the supply of CMHCs and CHCs delivering mental health services changed over time, in non-metropolitan and metropolitan areas.

It was found that the supply of CMHCs decreased substantially from 2000 to 2019 in non-metropolitan counties. However, the supply of CHCs offering mental health services increased substantially over the same time period. These gains were pronounced in both non-metropolitan and metropolitan counties, although growth was faster in metropolitan counties.

Contact Information:

Ty Borders, PhD
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Phone: 859.218.2041
ty.borders@uky.edu

Additional Resources of Interest:

Click to view Research Alerts.

Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) Announcements

Date: June 16, 2022

HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Medication-Assisted Treatment Access – Applications Due July 29. The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will make approximately 10 awards of up to $1 million per year to establish new access points for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in rural areas. Applicants can be any public or private, non-profit, or for-profit entity, but the proposed MAT access points must be located in HRSA-designated rural areas and cannot currently provide MAT as a clinical service. To learn more, join a webinar for applicants on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00 pm. Registration is not required, and a recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. Join by phone: 1-833-568-8864; Participant Code: 160 096 3647.

New Public Health AmeriCorps is Recruiting. In April, the federal AmeriCorps joined with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to announce a new and ongoing investment in recruitment and training for careers in public health at the local level. In its first year, the new initiative is expected to recruit 3,000 members who will learn from the expertise and best practices of existing CDC, AmeriCorps and other public health programs. Applications are being accepted for organizations in each state; many are directing efforts to rural areas that have been underserved. 

Access to Primary Care: HRSA’s Innovation Challenge.  Last week, HRSA announced a national competition with a total of $1 million in cash prizes for low-cost, scalable solutions that improve patient access to primary care and link health care to social services. The competition is open to broad public participation, including individuals, groups, health care organizations, and other entities. Submissions for phase 1 are due Tuesday, August 2nd. For more information, join an upcoming webinar on Wednesday, June 29 at 3:00 pm. 

HHS Allows for Audio-Only Telehealth. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued guidance stating that audio-only telemedicine appointments comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPAA, as long as providers take measures to protect patient privacy. HHS’s Office of Civil Rights says that this is an important tool for reaching people in rural areas with limited internet access, and/or those who are unable to use video. 

Telehealth Use for Mental Health Patients in Rural Louisiana. Researchers looked at 7,069 telehealth visits that took place between April 2020 and March 2021 to determine what and how socioeconomic factors affected remote mental health services. Some findings were not surprising, e.g., telehealth use is lower among elderly patients, and help-seeking behavior is higher among women than men. But the study also found that intensity – the number of telehealth visits for each patient – varied by the nature of illness, presence of multiple chronic conditions, and discharge status. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage by Race and Ethnicity, December 2020–November 2021. The latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report shows differences by geography (including rural/urban), age, household income, and health insurance status. Separately, a group of researchers asked rural Oklahomans about their perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines, and found that the most common reasons for hesitancy were their rapid development and lack of research about long-term effects. 

Ongoing: HRSA Payment Program for RHC Buprenorphine-Trained Providers. In June 2021, HRSA launched an effort to improve access to substance use disorder treatment by paying for providers who are waivered to prescribe buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of each provider who trained to obtain the waiver necessary to prescribe buprenorphine after January 1, 2019. Approximately $1.2 million in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Send questions to DATA2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov. There is ongoing availability of a free online course for waiver eligibility training from the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and the Providers Clinical Support System.

The Impact of Case Management Optimization and Real-Time Review for Rural Hospitals

Date: June 15, 2022

The Impact of Case Management Optimization and Real-Time Review for Rural Hospitals

Webinar Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CST

Join the National Rural Health Association’s Impact of Case Management Optimization and Real-Time Review for Rural Hospitals webinar on June 22, 2022.

Providing real-time clinical review for rural hospitals is a much-needed yet underutilized resource. This session will outline how optimizing case management and real-time review relieves clinical decision-making burden, limits denials, and optimizes the revenue cycle for low-volume facilities. Hear from Emergency Room Department Operations expert, Jeffrey A. Schwartz, MD, FACEP, and Medical Director Jim Mooney, MD, CHCQM. Learning goals include how to identify and decrease missed opportunities for efficiency, profitability, and excellent patient care.

Register Here

National Community Care Corps Local Models Program

Date: June 15, 2022

National Community Care Corps Local Models Program

The National Community Care Corps Local Models Program will provide funding for innovative local models in which volunteers assist family caregivers, older adults, and adults with disabilities to help individuals maintain their independence and age in place. The program intends to fund local models that represent a diverse cross section of the United States in terms of geography; urban, rural, frontier, and tribal communities; and underserved and limited English-speaking populations.

Volunteer services should address an unmet need, be delivered in non-institutional settings, and provide non-medical services. Applicants are encouraged to consider health equity and social determinants of health.

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application portal are available on the program website.

Applicant webinar recording

Rural Primary Care Institute

Date: June 15, 2022

Rural Primary Care Institute

The Rural Primary Care Institute is a 9-part webinar series designed to help State Offices of Rural Health, their partners, and stakeholders build their capacity to provide technical assistance to rural primary care providers.

The course will run from July 13 – September 7, 2022. Live webinars will be on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern:

  1. July 13, 2022 – What Is Primary Care and Why Do We Do What We Do?
  2. July 20, 2022 – What Is Primary Care in Rural America and What Makes it Unique?
  3. July 28, 2022 – How Do Designations Fit Into Rural Primary Care?
  4. August 3, 2022 – How Does “Compliance” Fit Into Rural Primary Care?
  5. August 10, 2022 – How to Support and Engage Rural Primary Care Practices
  6. August 17, 2022 – How to Provide Technical Assistance to Rural Primary Care Practices
  7. August 24, 2022 – Who Is Involved in Rural Primary Care?
  8. August 31, 2022 – Where Do Communities Find Assistance with Developing and Supporting Rural Primary Care?
  9. September 7, 2022 – What Are Rural Primary Care Policy Efforts and How to Move the Power of Rural Forward

Additional information about each session is provided in the Institute flyer.

Heat and humidity can be a dangerous combination

Date: June 14, 2022

Heat and humidity can be a dangerous combination

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) urges Missourians of all ages to take precautions as heat and humidity rise to dangerous levels.

Heat-related illnesses often affect the very young, the elderly and the chronically ill, but summer temperatures can also take a toll on healthy young and middle-aged adults.

In 2021, 18 people died from heat exposure in Missouri, ranging in age from 35-105 years. Half of the deaths occurred among those between the ages of 35-64.  

During prolonged periods of high temperatures, using air conditioning – either at home or by seeking shelter in a local cooling center — is the best preventive measure.

“Heat and humidity can place a lot of stress on the body,” said DHSS Acting Director Paula Nickelson. “Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly, with little warning, and lead to heatstroke which becomes a very dangerous situation.”

During excessive heat, Nickelson urges Missourians to check on friends and neighbors, especially those who are elderly and chronically ill. To report a senior citizen or an adult with disabilities who is in need of assistance due to the heat, call the state’s toll-free abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-392-0210, or make a report online.

Medications can impair a body’s response to heat, making them more vulnerable to the heat.

There are a number of steps individuals can take to stay cool including:

  • Wear appropriate clothing—wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Stay cool indoors—stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible. Find a local cooling center.
  • Stay hydrated—drink plenty of fluids regardless of your activity level, and do not wait to until you are thirsty. Avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages; these actually cause you to lose body fluids.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully—try to plan outdoor activity for morning or evening hours when the temperature is coolest.
  • Pace yourself—reduce exercise or physical activity during the hottest part of the day, and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned place.
  • Wear sunscreen—sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated.
  • Prepare your home—change air conditioner filters, cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes or shades, and make sure you have portable fans if necessary.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and how treat them is also important. Signs of heat exhaustion may include muscle cramps; heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; dizziness; headache; nausea or vomiting; and fainting or passing out. If you think you or a loved one are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should stop physical activity, move to a cool place—preferably air-conditioned, loosen clothing, and sip cool water. Seek medical attention immediately if you are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour.

Signs of heat stroke may include high body temperature (103°F or higher); hot, red, dry or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; or loss of consciousness. If you think you or a loved one are experiencing heat stroke you should call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Move the person to a cool place—preferably air-conditioned. Help lower the person’s body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath until medical personnel arrive. Do not give the person anything to drink.

For more information regarding heat-related illness and prevention, visit the websites of DHSS or the CDC.

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Medication-Assisted Treatment Access

Date: June 13, 2022

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Medication-Assisted Treatment Access

Application Deadline: Friday, July 29, 2022

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will be making approximately 10 awards of up to $1,000,000 per year (3-year period of performance) for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access. The goal of this program is to improve health care in rural areas by establishing new MAT access points and increasing the capacity for sustainable MAT service provision in rural areas.

FORHP will host a webinar for interested applicants on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET, via Zoom. A recording will be made available for those who cannot attend. You can also join the webinar via phone: Call-In Number: 1-833-568-8864; Participant Code: 160 096 3647.

Note:  Registration is not required for this webinar.

Applicants can be any domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit, entity, but the proposed MAT access points must be located in HRSA-designated rural areas and cannot currently provide MAT as a clinical service. 

* Please note: HRSA requires that applicants partner with at least two other entities to implement project activities, and has a particular interest in projects that propose to include correctional facilities and/or emergency departments to enhance discharge coordination. Award recipients will also be expected to participate in a Learning Collaborative, to facilitate peer-to-peer mentorship, and to sustain services after the period of performance ends.

To learn more about the program – and to apply – please visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Anna Swanson: ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov or 301.443.2398.