Featured News
Wider Access to Narcan Helps Rural Communities Fight Overdose Deaths
Source: PBS NewsHour (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/wider-access-to-narcan-helps-rural-communities-fight-overdose-deaths In a compelling effort to combat the rising tide of overdose deaths, rural communities across the nation are making significant strides with wider access to Narcan. According to a recent report by PBS NewsHour, the expanded availability of this life-saving medication is proving instrumental in saving lives and providing critical support to those affected by the opioid crisis. The PBS NewsHour report highlights the growing success of Narcan distribution programs in rural areas, where access to emergency medical services may be limited. The easy-to-use nasal spray, which contains the drug naloxone, can swiftly reverse the effects of opioid overdose, offering a vital wi...
NYSARH Member Spotlight: S2AY Rural Health Network Changes its Name to Pivital Public Health Partnership
New name reflects commitment to improving the health and well-being of Finger Lakes residents. S2AY Rural Health Network, a nonprofit leader in rural public health, has changed its name to Pivital Public Health Partnership. The organization’s Executive Director and Board of Directors joined with Public Health Directors from eight Finger Lakes counties to announce the name to its internal partners and stakeholders on April 20, 2022. Only Pivital Public Health Partnership unites local health departments in the Finger Lakes region to collaboratively develop and promote public health best practices. Their unique partnerships helps to accelerate improvements across the region by leveraging resources, expertise, and energy to achieve better outcomes than any one organization can achieve on thei...
Public Health Partnership Conference Recap
This year NYSARH partnered with the NYS Public Health Association (NYSPHA), the NYS Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO), and the NYS Conference of Environmental Health Directors (NYSCEHD) to promote the 2022 Public Health Partnership Conference. The conference took place from April 27th-29th with attendees participating virtually and in-person in Niagara Falls, NY. Attendees from NYSARH included Director for Strategic Development, Sara Wall Bollinger, Communications and Development Specialist (Americorps VISTA service member), Ella James, and Board members Karin Pantel and Mandy Qualls. Attendees enjoyed around 20 different breakout sessions, two poster presentation sessions– one for professional posters and one for student posters–and two compelling keynote addresses. The fi...
Should States Fund Municipal Broadband and Cooperatives?
March 24, 2022 By Kevin Schwartzbach Despite the more than $1.6 trillion private internet service providers (ISPs) have invested in broadband infrastructure since 1996, the internet landscape in the US faces significant challenges. Over 30 percent of American households do not have broadband at home, while as many as 42 million do not have the option to purchase it in the first place, especially in rural areas. Millions more are unsatisfied with the internet they do have. Moreover, large ISPs face little or no competition in most US markets, resulting in internet service that is comparatively more expensive than most peer nations while also not being relatively fast. As private ISPs have struggled to tackle these issues, two related models have emerged as creative alternatives: municipal b...
Apply to a New York State Fellowship Program
New York State has several fellowship programs that provide opportunities in State government to eager and talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Empire State Fellows: The Empire State Fellows Program is a full-time leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from September 2022 to September 2024, and receive an annual salary of $76,500, plus a generous benefits package. Applications are being accepted through April 4. Apply and learn more here. Excelsior Fellows: The Excelsior Service Fellowship Program is an initiative to bring highly talented recent graduates of law, graduate and professional schools into government service. Prospective fe...
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The NYS Cancer Consortium’s Colorectal Cancer Action Team acknowledges March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Each year in New York State, approximately 9,000 people develop colorectal cancer, and 3,000 New Yorkers die from it. One out of every 24 adults will develop colorectal cancer sometime in their life. Colorectal cancer occurs most often as people age (60% of new cases occur among those age 65 and older), however nearly 94% of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed after age 45. Average Risk Colorectal Cancer Screening Starts at Age 45: Regular screening for colorectal cancer can save lives. For adults at average risk for colorectal cancer, the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society now recommend that screening for colorectal cancer begin a...
Some Digital Divides Persist Between Rural, Urban and Suburban America
PEW RESEARCH TRUST AUGUST 19, 2021 BY EMILY A. VOGELS Rural Americans have made large gains in adopting digital technology over the past decade and have narrowed some digital gaps. However, rural adults remain less likely than suburban adults to have home broadband and less likely than urban adults to own a smartphone, tablet computer or traditional computer. Read more
HOW NEW YORK STATE CAN PRESERVE RURAL ACCESS TO EMS
In order to preserve rural communities’ access to emergency medical services, New York State government must act now. Due to inadequate reimbursement from Medicaid causing strained budgets, minimal provided incentive for volunteers, and lack of utilization of EMS capabilities, rural ambulance agencies are at risk of closing down or consolidating with other agencies. Fewer ambulance agencies will only increase response and wait time for emergency medical situations, putting rural New Yorkers at an even higher risk of serious medical complications. To amend this crisis, New York State can increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate for EMS, increase incentive for volunteerism by providing SUNY scholarships for volunteers and/or their children, and initiate community paramedicine programs in rur...
NYS Budget Summary
NYS Budget Summary Thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan, the New York State enacted budget is largely the opposite of the austerity plan presented back in January. Thanks to the advocacy of NYSARH members and our many partners, key elements of our priorities are included in the new budget. Restoration of funding for Rural Health Networks and Rural Health Care Access Hospitals to the SFY21 level of $9,410,000 plus $1,100,000 appropriation; Restoration of funding for the Area Health Education Centers to SFY20 level of $2,200,000 after being cut out of the SFY21 budget; Funding and regulatory reforms to increase access to Telehealth and Broadband; new $15/month internet plan for low-income families; Changes to the 340B Medicaid pharmacy benefit program are delayed to 2023; Most public ...