The Flex Monitoring Team has released a new policy brief summarizing characteristics of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) initiatives addressing the social needs of individuals in their communities. The brief, How Critical Access Hospitals Are Addressing the Social Needs of Rural Populations, highlights the importance of partnerships in rural communities, as well as the need for support of hospital leadership, ample funding, and dedicated staff to make these programs effective.
In tandem with the previously published report, Rural Initiatives Addressing Community Social Needs, this work can provide additional knowledge for developing population health initiatives in rural areas.