Rural Health
Mobile Food Pantry Coming to Rural Communities
Food insecurity is a pressing issue in many rural communities, where access to resources is limited. However, a beacon of hope is on the horizon for residents of Black River and Evans Mills as a new initiative aims to address this challenge head-on. In a pioneering move, a mobile food pantry is set to roll into these north country communities, providing much-needed relief to those facing hunger. Spearheaded by the Community Action Planning Council (CAPC) and supported by Jefferson County, FX Caprara, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, this innovative project is poised to make a significant impact. Mayor David Leonard of Black River expressed his optimism about the initiative, stating, “I really think that this is going to be tremendous in helping people.” The mobile pantry, hou...
High Suicide Rate Among American Farmers Sparks Rural Community Action
In 2023, the United States witnessed a tragic milestone as more than 50,000 Americans took their own lives, marking the highest yearly rate of suicide on record. Among the most affected are farmers, who face unique challenges that often go unnoticed. According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Special correspondent Megan Thompson sheds light on this issue, reporting from Wisconsin, where farmers grapple with immense pressure and isolation. Brenda Statz, who runs a 300-acre farm with her family, recounts the struggles her husband, Leon, faced. Leon, like many farmers, battled depression, feeling the weight of financial burdens and the demands of farm life. The story of the Statz family is not uncommon. ...
Rural Housing Coalition Unveils Marist Poll Results on Housing Affordability in New York
The Rural Housing Coalition (RHC) has released the findings of a recent Marist Poll on housing affordability conducted in mid-November. The statewide survey, encompassing 1,780 adults, highlights the pressing concerns regarding housing affordability across New York. Key takeaways from the poll include: – 73% of Residents Identify Housing Affordability as a Major Problem: A significant majority, 73% of New York residents, expressed that the affordability of housing is a major issue in their communities. – Widespread Concern Across Geographic Areas: Housing affordability concerns transcend geographic boundaries, with 67% of rural residents, 69% of suburban residents, and 81% of urban residents identifying it as a significant problem. – Perception of Insufficient State Resou...
New York State’s Struggle with Medical Debt Disparities
A recent analysis funded by NYHealth and conducted by the Urban Institute has revealed concerning statistics regarding medical debt in New York State. As of February 2022, approximately 6% of consumers, or around 740,000 adults, had medical debt in collections. Alarmingly, almost half of those with medical debt owed $500 or more. In June 2023, the New York State Legislature passed a bill to exclude medical debt from credit reports, pending the Governor’s approval. This legislative move aims to address financial disparities and improve residents’ well-being. Interactive maps provided by NYHealth illustrate the extent of medical debt in collections across the state, using data from the Urban Institute’s report. In an October 2023 update, the Urban Institute released a suppl...
Vice President Alison Coates with NCP Radio on Rural Improvement
Our Vice-President Alison Coates, has been at the forefront of advocating for improvements in rural healthcare. In a recent conversation with David Sommerstein at North Country Public Radio , she shed light on the specific challenges faced by rural communities in accessing quality healthcare. Urban-Centric Healthcare According to Coates, the healthcare system in our country was primarily built with urban areas in mind, leading to a mismatch when applied to rural regions. This “one size fits all” approach doesn’t account for the distinct needs of rural communities. Scaling Down Isn’t the Solution The fundamental issue arises from the payment model, which is based on the volume of services provided. In rural areas, where patient numbers are lower, this model doesn...
The Evolution of CACTC into the Rural Health Institute of New York
In an exciting transformation, the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) has evolved to better align with their mission and vision. This nonprofit organization, dedicated to advancing community health, has expanded its focus to include rural public health. With these changes, they proudly introduce their new agency name: The Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI). The Journey from CACTC to RHI CACTC began its journey as a youth prevention coalition in the early 2000s, working tirelessly to prevent youth substance use—a critical aspect of public health. Over the last two decades, their efforts expanded beyond youth substance use prevention to encompass broader public health initiatives in rural communities. It became evident that their work aligned closely with the Public Health Ins...
Transform Rural Health: Bridging the Gap for a Healthier Tomorrow
At the core of the Transform Rural Health campaign lies a fundamental belief: everyone, regardless of their geographical location, deserves access to the resources and support required to attain good health. Sadly, many rural communities across New York State have been left behind due to a long history of economic disinvestment, under-resourcing, and systemic factors that have resulted in subpar health outcomes. Rural residents often face daunting challenges, such as limited or unaffordable healthcare coverage, the closure of healthcare facilities, a shortage of physicians and healthcare professionals, inadequate transportation options, limited access to healthy food, a lack of career opportunities, and housing shortages. These barriers not only impact individual health but also hinder the...
Exploring Trends in Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) from 2020 to 2022
In 2020, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) took a significant step forward in their mission to provide accessible healthcare information by establishing the NARHC Research and Education Foundation. Among its objectives, the Foundation aimed to create a comprehensive RHC data warehouse, which would serve as a valuable resource accessible to the public free of charge. This data repository, containing vital information about Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), has the potential to benefit individuals, stakeholder organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and independent researchers alike. For over a decade, the National Association of Rural Health Clinics has been collaborating with the National Center for Rural Health Works (NCRHW) and the National Center for...
Request for Applications (RFA) for the Making Care Primary Model Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing healthcare with the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) outlining model payment, care delivery, quality, and other policies for the eagerly awaited Making Care Primary (MCP) Model. This promising initiative aims to elevate the standards of primary care, enabling participants to offer patients comprehensive, high-quality, whole-person care. As the Application Portal prepares to open later this month, CMS invites interested applicants to explore the comprehensive details provided in the RFA. A dedicated announcement will be made once the Application Portal becomes accessible. Making Care Primary Model – A Glimpse into the Future CMS introduced the groundbreaking Making Care Pri...
Exploring the Link Between Housing Quality and Health: A Closer Look at Rural-Urban Disparities
Housing quality plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being, yet the relationship between the two is often overlooked. When we think about health, factors like diet, exercise, and medical care tend to take the spotlight. However, the conditions in which we live, particularly the quality of our housing, can significantly impact our health outcomes. In a new policy brief, we delve into the connections between housing quality and health, shedding light on an often-neglected aspect of well-being. This research goes beyond the general examination and hones in on rural-urban disparities, as well as the intersections of racial/ethnic identity and disability status. Key Focus Areas and Findings The policy brief focuses on two crucial indicators of housing quality: incomplete plumbing a...
Seeking applicants for UC Berkeley’s Rural Health Innovation Program
Author: Elise Proulx, Director of Communications & Marketing (School of Public Health University of California, Berkeley) New Rural Health Innovation Program at UC Berkeley will launch the next generation of rural public health leaders 25 students per year will receive full two-year scholarships to pursue a Master of Public Health at UC Berkeley; inaugural deadline is August 13, 2023 Public health providers in rural areas face very different challenges than those in urban areas. Although these professionals have the best understanding of the health challenges facing their own communities—including ingrained issues with health care systems, policies, and funding models—they lack influence over the policies that affect those communities. Too few of these professionals are educated and e...
The Northern Border Region Technical Assistance Center (NBR-TAC) Webinar Series: Preparing for and Delivering Value-Based Care in Rural Communities
The Northern Border Region Technical Assistance Center (NBR-TAC) is pleased to present a four-part webinar series on the journey to Value-Based Care (VBC) for rural hospitals and primary care providers/facilities (FQHC’s/RHC’s) interested in learning more about operating in a value-based care environment. This webinar series will feature four (4) one-hour sessions from experts in rural health care, supporting the transition from a fee-for-service environment to a value-based approach to healthcare for the entire community. Webinar Topics and Dates: Session 1: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Value-Based Care Is Here–Let’s Learn About It!: This session will provide an in-depth overview of the required competencies necessary for achieving success in a value-based environment Session 2: Tuesday...