With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers looked at data from more than 27,000 adults to understand what contributes to substantially higher rates of cardiovascular mortality among the nearly 60 million U.S. adults living in rural areas compared to their urban counterparts. The study found substantial rural-urban disparities in cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases, which were largest among younger adults (aged 20-39 years) and almost entirely explained by social risk factors.
Study Links Lack of Oral Health Care with Pregnancy Complications
A new study links a lack of oral health care with complications during pregnancy. The study, “Use of Oral Health Services Among Pregnant Women and Associations with Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy,” was recently featured in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The study found that fewer than 40% of women seek preventive oral health care during pregnancy. Women who did not receive preventive oral health care or visit a dentist or dental clinic for oral health problems during pregnancy had an increased risk of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.
Pennsylvania Launches New State Health Improvement Plan Dashboard
The Pennsylvania Department of Health Office of Operational Excellence has published the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) dashboard. The dashboard features trends related to overarching SHIP objectives as well as individual objectives organized by workgroup and goal. It includes a list of current strategies and activities being implemented by SHIP goal team members and member organizations.
Thriving PA Releases New Early Intervention Fact Sheet
Thriving PA released a new Infant and Toddler Early Intervention fact sheet, aimed at educating policymakers about the program as part of our advocacy for the 2025-26 budget cycle. The fact sheet notes services and benefits provided by EI and highlights state-specific data. In the 2022-23 school year, 48,199 children were served by the program in Pennsylvania.
Thriving PA supports, at minimum, the Administration’s proposed increase of $16.2 million for the Infant/Toddler Early Intervention program as part of a final FY 2025-26 budget package. The proposed increase would provide $10 million for a long-overdue rate increase for providers and serve an additional 3,000 children and their families. This increase is a first step in addressing the workforce shortage of Early Intervention providers. Additional support beyond the $16.2 million is recommended, as we estimate $49 million in new funding is needed this year to address increased costs to the program and the projected children served.
2025 County Health Rankings Data Available!
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps out of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute has published the 2025 data. The data includes factors such as health care, education, and environmental impact. Users can check out how Pennsylvania compares to other states, but also how individual counties in Pennsylvania compare.
New Oral Health Brief Published: What Happens if Adult Medicaid Goes Away
The American Dental Association (ADA) released a new research brief, “What Happens if Adult Medicaid Dental Goes Away?” This resource outlines the cost implications of eliminating the adult dental Medicaid benefit.
If federal aid to state Medicaid programs is reduced, states will face considerable budgetary challenges to keep Medicaid beneficiaries enrolled and provided with the same level of services. This resource looks at the estimated costs due to emergency department visits for dental conditions, unmet periodontal needs among pregnant beneficiaries, and beneficiaries with diabetes and coronary artery disease.
US Sees 300+ Measles Cases, Highest in a Year Since 2019
The U.S. has recorded more than 300 cases of measles in just the first three months of this year according to data published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most infections recorded in a single year since 2019. More than 90 percent of those cases are linked to a growing outbreak that began in western Texas and has now spread to New Mexico. Source: The Hill
Annual Report Reveals PA’s Medicaid Fraud Program Is Top in the Nation
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the release of an annual report that ranks Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section number one nationally in number of fraud charges filed against individuals and third overall in convictions taking action against those who abuse Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program. During the 2024 federal fiscal year, the section recovered more than $11.3 million in misused Medicaid funding, most through criminal prosecutions. During that same year, the section filed fraud charges against 113 people, filed neglect, abuse, and endangerment charges against 6 people, and secured convictions in 74 cases, which were filed last year or in previous years. The unit recovered $3.46 for every $1.00 spent in 2024.
Research Brief Highlights Population Estimates
The U.S. Census Bureau released estimates of the July 1, 2024 population at the county level. This release includes both total population as well as components of change: births, deaths, and migration.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Twenty-eight counties increased from 2020 to 2024. The fastest-growing counties included Pike (+3.5%), Cumberland (+6.2%), and Chester (+4.9%).
- Thirty-nine counties decreased from 2020 to 2024. Counties that experienced the largest percentage decreases included Greene (-5.5%), Forest (-5.4%), and Cameron (-4.4%).
For more information on county population change in Pennsylvania, read this month’s brief.
Mapping Appalachia In All Its Complexity
You’ve probably seen our map designating the economic status for each of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region. But did you know that we’ve made many more maps for you to use?
Appalachia is a complex place. Our maps seek to make information about its make-up and opportunities readily available to Appalachians.
🏛️ The map of Appalachian counties lays out local boundaries of all counties served by ARC.
🎓 Our post-secondary schools map highlights 592 institutions of learning across the region.
📊 The local development districts map provides more information about the 74 entities that facilitate multi-county economic development.
🗳️ Our congressional map can help you determine who represents your community in Congress.
See these interactive maps by clicking below!
- Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
- Postsecondary Schools in Appalachia
- Local Development Districts in Appalachia
- Congressional Districts in Appalachia