NRHA's Rural Health Voices blog offers informed commentary on the latest news in rural health care from NRHA staff and editorials from selected contributors.
With stark images of urban hospitals overrun with patients, the national media coverage of COVID-19 has focused largely on cities. Less discussed and less understood is the impact on rural communities, which have been grossly underprepared for a pandemic. As we contemplate an additional wave of the virus, now is the time to assess how rural communities can achieve greater resilience.
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The allure of being a child social worker in a rural area is strong. Social workers who decide to work in smaller communities may forgo an abundance of resources to support families, but they gain slower-paced, socially supportive neighborhoods with strong connections to the natural environment. So what happens during a first-in-our-lifetime pandemic in communities already lacking in resources? It gets complicated.
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Author:
Brock Slabach
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Individuals in rural communities often face barriers to health stemming from economic factors, environmental differences, and feelings of isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a generational challenge and exacerbated these concerns, revealing a critical need for rapid response efforts. With the support of a generous grant of $200,000 from CoBank, NRHA is helping rural health care providers overcome barriers they face through the creation...
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Author:
Alex T. Olson
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NRHA stands in solidarity with communities of color as we fight against the systematic, individually mediated, and internalized racism deeply embedded within our country and its institutions. Structural racism is a public health crisis, and its effects are detrimental to the physical and mental health of all individuals and communities. It is an underlying condition contributing to health inequities and the disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality borne by racial minorities.
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Author:
Alex T. Olson
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NRHA takes seriously the impact COVID-19 could have on our members and rural communities nationwide. We are closely monitoring new developments regarding the coronavirus and will always place first the safety and well-being of our members, event attendees, and all rural Americans. NRHA staff are equipped to provide continuity of service throughout this period. We will continue to provide education, advocacy, and communications to ensure your rural community has the knowledge and resources to...
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Author:
Tracy Milius
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To ensure that we are addressing population health issues, innovative interventions that reach across disciplines is crucial. Utilizing physical therapy as a vehicle for safely transitioning individuals with multiple chronic conditions to a long-term wellness plan establishes a culture of health within the community and can reduce the financial burden on both the patient and the hospital.
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Author:
Kati Eggen, BSN, RN
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The evolution of how patients spend their final days of life has gone from quality care that enhances life to extending days without quality of life. The Care Continuum model focuses on quality of life by bridging medical advances with common medical sense. The Care Continuum is an answer to the over-use of medical technology, ensuring it is used only when appropriate, helping patients and their family members gain control over their medical journey.
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