- How Mobile Clinics Are Transforming Rural Health Access for Cochise County Farmworkers
- Struggling to Adapt
- Rural Governments Often Fail To Communicate With Residents Who Aren't Proficient in English
- Prescription Delivery in Missouri Faces Delays under USPS Rural Service Plan
- Mental Health Association Launches Hub To Help Rural Residents
- Creating a Clearer Path to Rural Heart Health
- USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds
- Getting Rural Parents Started On Their Breastfeeding Journey
- Number of U.S. Hospitals Offering Obstetric Care Is Declining
- NRHA Announces 2025 Rural Health Fellows
- New RSV Drug Delivers Promising Results in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
- Lack of Civic Infrastructure Drives Rural Health Disparities
- VA: Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee
- EOP: National Rural Health Day, 2024
- Distance, Workforce Shortages Complicate Mental Health Access in Rural Nevada Communities
Funding Received to Support Oral Health in Pennsylvania RHCs
Pennsylvania has received grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the project titled “New Approaches to Oral Health Infrastructure and Capacity.” The project aims to integrate oral health services into two Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) located in DHPSAs.
Health Access for Infants and Toddlers in Rural Areas
A new report, “Health Care Access for Infants and Toddlers in Rural Areas,” examines state-level differences in how infants and toddlers living in rural areas are faring compared to other children. Among a number of key findings, the report concluded that infants and toddlers living in rural areas are less likely to receive a preventive medical or dental visit and less likely to receive recommended vaccines.
Case Study: Iowa’s I-Smile Program Promoting Dental Care
A unique partnership between the Iowa Medicaid and public health agencies, Iowa’s I-Smile program addresses the disproportionate impact of dental disease on low-income individuals and families. The initiative is supported through cooperative agreement between the National Organizations of State and Local Health Officials and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Read more here.
Report Released on Racial Inequities in Dental Care
CBS-affiliate WUSA 9 reported on the racial disparities in dental care. The report cites The Pew Charitable Trusts studies showing higher rates of tooth decay and tooth loss in communities of color. The report examines contributing factors such as the low insurance reimbursement rates for patients on Medicaid.
Call to Action for All Health Advocates
The Families USA Health Action Network released, “Now is the Time for Oral Health Coverage: A Call to Action for All Health Advocates.” The publication covers how achieving a healthier, stronger, more equitable nation requires prioritizing comprehensive health coverage that includes oral health care. They are asking the public to submit personal stories about the importance of oral health care or how a lack of access to oral health care has affecting them.
Click here to read the publication.
Click here to submit a personal story.
Report: Parents Feel Comfortable Discussing HPV with Dentists
The ADA News reported a new study found that “parents feel comfortable having discussions about human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine in the dental setting.” A survey of 208 parents of adolescents aged 9-17 found 66.4% of the parents felt dentists were qualified to counsel about HPV and 72.6% felt they were qualified to counsel about the vaccination. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
New Brief: Boosting Oral Health Care in Rural Communities
The National Conference of State Legislators released a legislative brief on “Boosting Oral Health Care in Rural Communities.” The brief visits topics such as teledentistry, mobile dental services, and workforce efforts. Rural communities face a range of barriers to accessing oral health care such as long distances to providers, lack of transportation, lack of insurance, and a shortage of oral health providers.
Healthy People Law and Health Policy Oral Health Report Released
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) released “Using Law and Policy to Promote the Use of Oral Health Services in the United States.” This is the fifth report in a series highlighting the practical application of law and policy to improve health across the nation. The report presents evidence-based policy solutions that community leaders, government officials, public health professionals, health care providers, lawyers, and social service providers can use in their communities.
HRSA Announces Additional Funds for Dental Providers
The Health and Human Services Administration (HRSA) announced additional distributions from the Provider Relief Fund are available for eligible dental providers. This includes dental providers who have not received payment from the Provider Relief Fund Medicare-focused General Distribution of the Medicaid and CHIP Distribution. Applications are due by August 3rd through the Enhanced Provider Relief Fund Payment Portal.
Click here for more information.
Click here to submit an application.
Boosting Oral Health Care in Rural Communities
Both societal and geographical barriers make it difficult for rural communities to access oral care. Additionally, rural communities are more likely to experience poverty and regions with higher rates of poverty have significantly fewer dentists per 100,000 people. Due to this shortage, State and Federal legislators are working to improve access to oral health care for rural communities. Boosting the health care workforce, expanding