Rural Spotlight

Rural Health Research: Triad Program Perspectives on Preventing and Addressing Elder Abuse in Rural Communities

November 22, 2024

Rural Health Research: Triad Program Perspectives on Preventing and Addressing Elder Abuse in Rural Communities

Elder abuse is a widespread issue, and rural communities face unique risks to preventing, identifying, and addressing it.

This brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center shares results from key informant interviews with representatives of rural Triads (multi-sectoral community-based partnerships that address elder abuse) to illuminate rural-specific dimensions of this issue.

Key Findings:

  • Challenges to preventing and addressing elder abuse included themes related to education and awareness, outreach and engagement, limited resources and services, reporting issues, isolation, stigma, and systemic barriers.
  • Criteria for successful interventions from rural Triads include the integration of elder abuse programming, community collaboration, older adult engagement, and elder abuse infrastructure.

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Rural America at a Glance: 2024 Edition

November 22, 2024

Rural America at a Glance: 2024 Edition

Rural America at a Glance, 2024 edition, focuses on the age structure of the rural population and the implications of age-related demographic change including rural migration, employment, poverty, childcare, eldercare, and broadband

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Health Equity: Research Recap

November 22, 2024

Health Equity: Research Recap

This research recap describes how telehealth impacts health equity and opportunities for reducing health disparities.

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DEA Extends Telehealth Flexibilities

November 22, 2024

DEA Extends Telehealth Flexibilities

This week, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), issued a third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2025.

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Upcoming Webinar: The Early Project Planning Phases of a Capital Development Project, December 12

November 22, 2024

Upcoming Webinar: The Early Project Planning Phases of a Capital Development Project, December 12

Is your health center planning a capital project in the next 1-5 years, but you’re not sure where to start? Consider joining Capital Link, on December 12, for The Early Project Planning Phases of a Capital Development Project webinar to learn the foundational steps for developing facilities that provide access to comprehensive, affordable health services tailored to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse communities.

Capital Link will also introduce their Capital Development Learning Collaborative – Early Project Planning Stages, launching in January 2025. This collaborative will provide actionable guidance and tools for successfully planning, financing, and completing a capital project.

Cost: Free

When: Thursday, December 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

Click Here to Register

Telehealth Policy Update

November 19, 2024

Telehealth Policy Update

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule and CY2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule, which include telehealth policies.

Absent Congressional action, the statutory limitations in place for Medicare telehealth services prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency will take effect for most telehealth services beginning January 1, 2025.

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Rural Health Research – Understanding the Impact of Medical Debt in Rural Communities: Perspectives from Rural Hospital Administrators

November 18, 2024

Rural Health Research – Understanding the Impact of Medical Debt in Rural Communities: Perspectives from Rural Hospital Administrators

This policy brief presents findings from key informant interviews with nine administrators representing rural hospitals in seven states (Arkansas, California, Illinois, Texas, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia).

Using content analysis of interview data, researchers share findings around hospital and community-level implications of medical debt, and policies that may help or hinder this issue.

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HRSA Announces Complete Lists of Health Professional Shortage Areas

November 18, 2024

HRSA Announces Complete Lists of Health Professional Shortage Areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) new lists, maintained and updated by HRSA’s Data Warehouse, were announced in the Federal Register last week. The lists identify all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain in this status until a second notice is published in the Federal Register.

Click Here to See New Lists

NCOA Expanding Evidence-Based Programs in Rural Communities, November 19

November 18, 2024

NCOA Expanding Evidence-Based Programs in Rural Communities, November 19

Older adults and adults with disabilities residing in rural communities across the nation are aging in place while managing ongoing health conditions. While rural communities may offer close community connections and critical networks o support, they can also present challenges in accessing health care and community-based services. Evidence-based health education, such as chronic disease self-management programs is vital in complementing clinical care and building the everyday skills to improve quality of life.

This webinar hosted by the nonprofit National Council on Aging (NCOA) will introduce and explore the practical and adaptable toolkit developed from roundtable discussions on engaging rural communities in health education. The toolkit offers best practices for:

  • Building and advancing community partnerships
  • Enhancing participant engagement
  • Adapting and effectively delivering evidence-based programs, and
  • Overcoming key barriers (i.e., transportation and connectivity), in rural communities.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, November 19, 3:00 p.m. ET

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Research and Data Update: Access to Health Care in Rural America: Current Trends and Key Challenges

November 14, 2024

Research and Data Update: Access to Health Care in Rural America: Current Trends and Key Challenges

This research report describes patterns in insurance coverage and uninsurance rates in rural and urban areas, review non-financial challenges in accessing care face by many rural residents, and describes disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural areas.

The report goes on to discuss policies, programs and resources designed to address barriers to care in rural America and the important role that federal and state health car coverage programs like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Marketplace, and Medicare play in providing health insurance coverage for rural residents.

Click Here to Read Full Report