March 17, 2025

Americans’ Self-reported Mental, Physical Health at 24-year low: Gallup

Americans’ self-reported physical and mental health ratings have reached their lowest levels in more than two decades, according to a March 13 Gallup report.

The survey, conducted in partnership with West Health, is based on responses from 1,001 U.S. adults collected from November 6 – 20, 2024.

Three Takeaways:

• Americans’ assessments of their health have trended downward since about 2013, with a sharp decline seen during the pandemic.
• In the latest survey, 75% of adults described their mental health as “good” or excellent,” a decline from 89% in 2012. Meanwhile, 76% rated their physical health positively, down from a peak of 82% in 2003.
• Gallup noted that fewer Americans are ranking their health as “excellent,” which represents the main driver of these decreases. Just 24% of Americans rated their physical health as “excellent,” alongside 31% for their mental health. In 2001, 29% of Americans reported “excellent” physician health and 43$ reported “excellent” mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have been a turning point in Americans’ perceptions of their mental and physical health, compounding declines already underway,” Gallup said.

Click Here to view full report

March 13, 2025

National Poison Prevention Week, March 16 – 22

In 1961, Congress created National Poison Prevention Week to increase knowledge about how to prevent and stop poisoning accidents. Communities and poison centers across the country host events every year to share the message during National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), March 16 – 22.

National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is recognized annually to teach about the risks of poisonings and increase everyone’s involvement in poison prevention. Research has shown that poisonings are the second leading cause of fatal unintentional injury in rural areas, where distance to emergency care is a factor in outcomes.

Visit HRSA’s Poison Control Program’s website for more information and resources on how to prevent and respond to a poison emergency.

Click Here to visit HRSA’s Poison Control Program’s website

Click Here to visit HRSA’s Poison Prevention Week website to Learn More and access publicity materials

December 31, 2024

Register Now for AAP Obesity ECHO Training

Starting in January, the American Academy of Pediatrics Obesity ECHO will serve as a forum for primary care providers and others who care for pediatric patients to increase their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to effectively identify and provide best practice care around obesity to pediatric patients and their families.

Additionally, the National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Rural Obesity and Chronic Disease Initiative aims to diminish stigma by championing policies and programs that improve the long-term health of rural residents.

The ECHO will run from January 2025 to July 2025 with sessions held twice a month on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT, with a kickoff session in January:

• January 28, 2025: Kickoff session
• February 11, 2025
• February 25, 2025
• March 11,2025
• March 25, 2025
• April 8, 2025
• April 22, 2025
• May 6, 2025
• May 20, 2025
• June 10, 2025
• June 24, 2025
• July 8, 2025
• July 22, 2025

Contact Oyin Oloniniyi at ooloniniy@aap.org with any questions.

Click Here to Register

December 31, 2024

2025 Rural Health Awards Nominations Now Open

Each year the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) honors outstanding individuals and organizations in the field of rural health who have dedicated their time and talents to improving the health and well-being of others. Previous recipients have stretched the boundaries of possibility by forging innovative programs and services, making rural life healthier and more compassionate.

Consider nominating your favorite rural health individual, program or organization so that they may be honored nationally for their contributions to rural health.

Click here to nominate an organization or program

Click here to nominate an individual

December 17, 2024

Upcoming Webinar: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Rural Missouri, January 23

Join the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) and Findhelp for an engaging session addressing the pressing social needs impacting health in rural America.

In this session, MRHA will discuss current collaboration efforts with the Tennessee Rural Health Association, TennCare, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Join this webinar to explore how these initiatives aim to address social determinants of health across rural regions, with key insights from projects in Tennessee, and Missouri. Discover innovative strategies, real-world lessons, and actionable takeaways to drive healthier outcomes through powerful, collaborative approaches.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, January 23, 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to register

December 3, 2024

Telehealth Resources

Click on the links below to access these telehealth resources:

• Telehealth for HIV Care Best Practice Guide

This HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, learn more about strategies to increase access to HIV care through telehealth in the Telehealth for HIV Care Best Practice Guide.

Click Here to Read the Best Practice Guide

• Patient Resource: How Can I Use Telehealth for HIV Care

Telehealth may be used to prevent, detect, and treat HIV. Share this resource with your patients so they can understand the benefits of using telehealth to manage HIV, how to access telehealth, more.

Click Here to Access Patient Resource

• Telehealth in the Community: Providing Virtual Case Management Services for People with HIV

Read how a HRSA grantee uses telehealth to support case management and the benefits for providers and patients in managing HIV care.

Click Here to Read More

• CMS Patient and Provider Telehealth Toolkit

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated Telehealth for Providers Toolkit and Telehealth for Patients Toolkit that share the basics of telehealth.

Click Here to Access Providers Toolkit

Click Here to Access Patients Toolkit

Click Here to Learn more about Telehealth

November 14, 2024

Newly Released: CMS Framework for Health Equity

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health released the CMS Framework for Health Equity to address health disparities as a foundational element across all work, in every program, and across every community.

Using five priority areas, CMS will use this framework to design, implement, and operationalize policies and programs to support health for all people served by CMS programs, eliminating avoidable differences in health outcomes experienced by people who are disadvantaged or underserved, and providing the care and support that CMS enrollees need to thrive.

Click Here to Read More

November 8, 2024

Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Hardship Exception Application Deadline for CAHs is November 30, 2024

For the calendar year 2023 reporting period, eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) were required to use 2015 Edition Cures Update certified electronic health record technology (CERHT) to meet the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program requirements.

CAHs may apply for a Hardship Exception if complying with this requirement results in significant hardship. CAHs may submit their application electronically or contact the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality Service Center (CCSQ) Service Center at (866) 288-8912 to complete a verbal application.

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to see Requirements for Previous Years

Click Here to Apply

October 17, 2024

Telehealth Research Recaps

View summaries that highlight trending telehealth research, including behavioral health, economic impact, health equity, and more.

Click Here to View Recaps