Rural Spotlight

Emerging Issue: Increased Oropouche Virus Activity

September 30, 2024

Emerging Issue: Increased Oropouche Virus Activity

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory and released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report about Oropouche virus.

This virus is spread to humans by infected biting midges and some mosquito species. Parts of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean are experiencing an increase in infections.

The health advisory advises evaluating and testing travelers who have been in these impacted areas and who show signs and symptoms consistent with Oropouche virus infection. The advisory raises awareness of the possible risk of transmission during pregnancy to the fetus and of associated adverse effects on pregnancy. It also highlights prevention measures to reduce spread of the virus.

Click Here to read Health Alert

Click Here to read Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is Available Statewide in Missouri!

September 30, 2024

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is Available Statewide in Missouri!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by delivering high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to the homes of registered children under age 5, at no cost to the family.

The Missouri Imagination Library was made possible by legislation (Section 178.694 RSMo) that identifies school districts as the local partner for this initiative. Full funding was included in DESE’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget to establish and administer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for all children in Missouri age 0-5.

There is no cost to schools for the books or the postage to deliver them.

Sign your child up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Access Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Parent Portal

Free Rural Telementoring “Unconference” Scheduled for October 15

September 30, 2024

Free Rural Telementoring “Unconference” Scheduled for October 15

The UnConference is a FREE, virtual event featuring an array of brief presentations on rural health and Telementoring followed by group discussion, idea generation, and collaboration.

Unlike traditional conferences, an UnConference provides a structure that facilitates sharing experiences, idea generation, and partnership building in pursuit of shared goals.

This year’s theme is Enhancing Rural Resilience: The intersection of climate, behavioral health, and workforce.

Cost: Free

When: Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

Save the Date: Missouri Rural Health Workforce, April 1-2, 2025

September 20, 2024

Save the Date: Missouri Rural Health Workforce, April 1-2, 2025

The Missouri Rural Health Association in partnership with the University of Missouri School of Medicine and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), are hosting the Rural Health Workforce Conference.

The Rural Health Workforce Development Conference is ideal for:

  • Health care practitioners
  • Health care administrators
  • Students
  • HR professionals
  • Nonprofit organizations

When: April 1 – 2, 2025

Where: Holiday Inn Executive Inn Center, 2200 Interstate 70 Dr SW, Columbia, MO

Questions: Contact info@morha.org

Click Here to Learn More

PROMPT Learning Network – Lunch and Learn, Oct 3

September 19, 2024

PROMPT Learning Network – Lunch and Learn, Oct 3

The next PROMPT Learning Network – Lunch and Learn will be held virtually via Zoom, on October 3, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The goal of PROMPT is to:

  • Support RHCs/rural provider practices in transforming rural clinic practices to meet the ever-changing demands within the healthcare landscape
  • Improve clinical quality data capture and reporting, to better meet the needs of funders, payors, and patients
  • Improve quality performance and patient care in rural Missouri

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, October 3, 11:oo a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register

CDC Rural Public Health Strategic Plan, FY 2024 – 2029

September 19, 2024

CDC Rural Public Health Strategic Plan, FY 2024 – 2029

The Office of Rural Health (ORH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lays out its plan for collaborating with internal and external partners to support and advance rural public health science and practice.

The document includes background on CDC’s rural public health efforts, the structure and role of ORH, and the strategic plan’s development.

Click Here to Read More

RHIhub This Week Now Available

September 19, 2024

RHIhub This Week Now Available

RHIhub This Week keeps you informed of the latest rural news, funding opportunities, publications, and events.

Click Here to View

Missouri Rural Health Conference, November 6 – 7

September 19, 2024

Missouri Rural Health Conference, November 6 – 7

The Missouri Rural Health Conference is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of rural communities across Missouri.

Co-hosted by the Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) and The Association of Rural Health Clinics (MARHC), this year’s conference will bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders for an enriching and collaborative experience.

Benefits of Attendance:

  • Network with Leaders
    • Connect with key stakeholders in rural health, including healthcare providers, government officials, and industry experts.
    • Build lasting relationships and engage in meaningful discussions to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural health.
  • Learn from Experts
    • Gain insights from thought leaders and experts in rural health through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.
    • Stay informed about the latest trends, policies, and innovations that are shaping the future of rural healthcare.
  • Engage in Advocacy
    • Participate in advocacy sessions that empower you to be a voice for rural health.
    • Learn how to effectively advocate for policies and programs that support the health and well-being of rural communities.
  • Discover Innovations
    • Explore the latest healthcare technologies, products, and services at th conference exhibition.
    • Discover innovative solutions that can help you overcome the unique challenges of providing care in rural settings.

Cost: Early Bird Registration: $150; Standard Registration $200

When: November 6 & 7

Where: Old Kinderhook, Camdenton, MO

Click Here to View Agenda

Click Here to Learn More

Click Here to Register

Rural Telementoring Training Center Webinar, October 1

September 19, 2024

Rural Telementoring Training Center Webinar, October 1

People living in rural and remote areas face persistent and systemic healthcare challenges, including:

  • Hospital and clinic closures
  • Geographic isolation
  • Workforce shortages
  • Economic & demographic shifts
  • High burdens of chronic disease
  • High rates of traumatic injuries

When there is a gap in healthcare access or quality, there is an opportunity to share resources and build bridges that improve health.

The RTTC provides free training, tools, and technical assistance to support implementing and evaluating new and current telementoring programs for rural health workers.

Telementoring can improve rural health by:

  • Building local capacity
  • Reducing professional isolation
  • Improving access to care
  • Sharing best practices

It can transform training and education through various uses:

  • Clinical knowledge & task shifting
  • Workforce development & training
  • Rapid implementation
  • Clinic management
  • Operation support and professional development activities

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the mission and resources of the Rural Telementoring Training Center
  • Learn the role of Promotoras and Community Health Workers and how they can assist with identifying asthma triggers in the home
  • Learn of the ways the Rural Telementoring Training Center can help Learning Partners create and implement a telementoring program

Intended Target Audience

  • Health educators
  • Community Health Workers (CHWs)
  • Rural Healthcare Communities/Clinicians looking to bridge healthcare gaps

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, October 1, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT

Click Here to Register

New Product from FMT: Workforce Toolkit to Support Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Providers

September 18, 2024

New Product from FMT: Workforce Toolkit to Support Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Providers

The Flex Monitoring Team (FMT) has released a new product, the Workforce Toolkit to Support Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Providers.

This toolkit:

  • provides background on health care workforce challenges in the U.S.,
  • describes common workforce challenges faced by Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and
  • provides examples and links to external resources that CAHs may use to address their own workforce needs and enhance recruitment and retention.

The toolkit includes five modules that discuss key workforce challenges and resources by topic:

  • Introductory module that summarizes broad challenges in the rural health care workforce
  • Organizational culture and leadership
  • Leveraging partnerships
  • Emergency medical services workforce
  • Administrative and support staff workforce

Each module exists as a standalone webpage on the FMT website, and the FMT has also created PDF versions of each module that may be saved locally or printed for reference.

Click Here to View Toolkit