- Request for Information (RFI): Evolving the Network of the National Library of Medicine
- Dental Therapists, Who Can Fill Cavities and Check Teeth, Get the OK in More States
- Colorectal Cancer Is Rising among Younger Adults. Some States Want to Boost Awareness.
- Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
- Food Stamps Go Further in Rural Areas — Until You Add Transportation Costs
- CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the State of Texas
- CMS Proposes New Payments for Digital Health Under CY2025 PFS Draft Rule
- Improving Public Health by Strengthening Community Infrastructure
- Biden Harris Administration Proposes Policies to Reduce Maternal Mortality, Advance Health Equity, and Support Underserved Communities
- Nearly Half of U.S. Counties Don't Have a Single Cardiologist
- Randolph County, Ill. Turns Unused Part of Nursing Home Into State-Of-The-Art Behavioral Health Center
- Safe and Stable Housing Is a Foundation of Successful Recovery
- Rural RPM Program Is a Lifeline for Pregnant Women
- Expert: Rural Hospitals Are Particularly Vulnerable to Increasing Cyberattacks Targeting Healthcare Facilities
- Biden-Harris Administration Invests Over $200 Million to Help Primary Care Doctors, Nurses, and Other Health Care Providers Improve Care for Older Adults
PA State Data Center Publishes New Briefs
See below for new briefs from the Pennsylvania State Data Center. For more information, contact the Data Center at pasdc@psu.edu.
New Brief Highlights Median Household Income in Pennsylvania
Our latest brief details median household income in Pennsylvania. The brief explores differences by race and ethnicity at the state level and compares Black or African American households and White households at the county level. Read more on our Research Briefs page.
Census Bureau Updates
- 2021 County business Patterns
The U.S. Census Bureau released the 2021 County Business Patterns (CBP) First Look data table. This preliminary tabulation includes the number of establishments; employment for the week of March 12, 2021; first quarter payroll; and annual payroll at the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector level for the nation. Final CBP tables for 2021 are scheduled for release in April 2023. Click here to learn more.
- New National Experimental Data Product about Wellbeing
The U.S. Census Bureau released the first set of estimates from the National Experimental Wellbeing Statistics (NEWS) project, an experimental data product that uses a new methodology to calculate income and poverty estimates. Click here to learn more.
- New data from phase 3.7 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS)
The HPS is an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to provide near real-time data on how the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes in social and economic conditions are affecting people’s lives to inform federal and state response and recovery planning. Click here to explore the data.
Just Launched: An Introduction to Value-Based Care in Oral Health
The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is offering a new self-paced online course, “An Introduction to Value-Based Care in Oral Health: Moving from Volume to Value.” The one-hour course identifies how value-based care in oral health can improve patients’ health outcomes while benefiting providers and payors. It offers 1 CE credit and includes a collection of resources and references to learn more about the topic.
Pennsylvania Health Equity Office Publishes Implicit Bias Toolkit
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Office of Health Equity published an Implicit Bias Toolkit. The toolkit provides resources to reduce implicit bias and explicit bias in clinical healthcare settings. The toolkit includes tools to avoid bias and resources to address discrimination in healthcare.
New Study Released: Silver Diamine Fluoride Effectiveness
A study of almost 3,000 children found silver diamine fluoride may be as effective as dental sealants for caries prevention. The study was reported in JAMA Network Open. The objective was to determine the noninferiority of silver diamine fluoride with fluoride varnish versus traditional glass ionomer sealants with fluoride varnish after two years when provided to children via a school-based health care program.
COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) New Overview Fact Sheet
As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ongoing efforts to provide up-to-date information to prepare for the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, which is expected on May, 11, 2023, we are providing a new overview fact sheet on CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. COVID-19 efforts have been a significant priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, and with the use of whole-of-government approach, the country is in a better place. Over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations.
The CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency provides clarity on several topics including:
- COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments;
- Telehealth services;
- Health Care Access
In the coming weeks, CMS will be hosting stakeholder calls and office hours to provide additional information. Please visit the CMS Emergencies Page for continuous updates regarding PHE sunsetting guidance as information becomes available to the public.
2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs Has Been Released
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2024 Advance Notice for Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs (also known as Medicare Part D). The notice includes payment updates and star rating updates for both parts of Medicare, a one-time growth rate adjustment for Medicare Advantage, and technical updates to the Medicare Advantage risk adjustment model. Also included are significant Medicare Part D changes required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and which will go into effect next January including reduced cost-sharing for insulin, eliminated cost-sharing for preventive vaccines, eliminated cost-sharing for Part D prescription drugs in the catastrophic phase, and expanded eligibility for full cost-sharing and premium subsidies under the Low-Income Subsidy program. The comments are due by March 3, 2023.
New Articles Have Been Published on Hospitals, Elective Surgery, Electronic Health Records, Immunization, and Community Health Workers
The latest alert holds five journal articles written by the FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Centers.
Read About New Research Regarding Telehealth Recovery Coaching for Post-Discharge Engagement
Researchers looked at records for 917 patients who engaged with a peer recovery coach via telehealth after discharge from emergency departments for opioid use. The investigation focused on one Indiana-based hospital system that included six hospitals located in cities and seven that had rural Critical Access Hospital designations. Of the findings showing value to rural patients, living in a strictly rural area was associated with an 80 percent greater rate of successful follow-up.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announced There Would be Two Billion Dollars in Funding For Clean Drinking Water in Rural Communities
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced new investments in safe and clean water specifically for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes several initiatives to address environmental harms such as polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – found in water, air, fish, and soil that are linked to harmful health effects. See Funding and Approaching Deadlines below for ongoing opportunities from the EPA.
USDA Rural Development Announces Six Value Added Producer Grant Awards in Pennsylvania
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Bob Morgan announced that USDA is awarding six grants to agriculture producers in rural Pennsylvania.
“Ag producers are vital to the system that helps feed Pennsylvanians. Any time we can support them is a success for us as an agency,” Morgan said. “I am glad these grant funds are getting to operations for them to expand their markets and increase revenue.”
The grant awards total $894,290 for six projects in four Pennsylvania counties through the Value Added Producer Grants program.
The projects in Pennsylvania awarded funds today are listed below.
- North Mountain Pastures LLC in Perry County was awarded a grant of $250,000 to help with processing costs as the farm goes through a growth phase over the next three years. The goal is to increase sales by reaching new customers through a strategic marketing campaign built around on-line marketing of direct-shipped meats. This is anticipated to increase its customer base by approximately 800 and its revenue by approximately $719,711 over a three-year period.
- Roots to River Farm LLC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $250,000 for processing and marketing an herbal fortified wine, made from its farm-grown fennel. This wine is aromatized with radicchio and herbs, along with a proprietary blend of spices and citrus. Funds will also be used for marketing the new product and securing a foothold in the increasingly competitive American aperitif market. This includes costs for advertising, web re-design and social media management. This project is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 6,000 and increase its revenue by approximately $215,000 over three years.
- Katydid Hill LLC in Schuylkill County was awarded a grant of $250,000 for processing, packaging and marketing activities related to producing herbal tea blends grown on the farm. The goal is to increase sales through the expansion of the company’s market and product line. This project will serve a socially disadvantaged independent producer and is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 35,000 and its revenue by approximately $439,000 over a three-year period.
- Manoff Market Cidery LCC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $45,000 for processing and marketing activities to help launch a hard cider product into the Bucks County, Greater Philadelphia, and New Jersey areas. The goal of the project is to increase retail sales by promoting its products through print, visual and social media advertisements. This project is anticipated to increase its customer base by roughly 4,000 and its revenue by approximately $231,000 over a 15-month period.
- Tinicum Farm Collective LLC in Bucks County was awarded a grant of $49,420 for processing, packaging and marketing activities to expand production of the popular and distinct Heirloom Pumpkin Pie to a wider wholesale market in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The goal is to increase sales to customers by providing a retail-ready product that will become the cornerstone of the farm and bakehouse. This project will serve a socially disadvantaged independent producer and is anticipated to increase its customer base by seven retail outlets and its revenue by approximately $45,000 over a one-year period.
- Crooked Row Farm in Lehigh County was awarded a grant of $49,870 to process, market and sell hot pepper sauces, dried pepper powders, marinades, salad dressings, culinary oils, teas, and soaps made from its farm grown herbs and specialty peppers. Funds will also be used to enhance its online marketing capability. This project is anticipated to increase the farm’s customer base by 1,500 and its revenue by approximately $193,000 over a 12-month period.