Rural Areas Face Challenges Accessing the COVID-19 Vaccine |
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For some US residents, the COVID-19 vaccine may be geographically out-of-reach, according to a new analysis from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and West Health Policy Center. Rural counties in particular are seeing geographic care access disparities that they have seen in other areas of healthcare.
Just about a third of counties in the US have two or fewer vaccine distribution centers—community pharmacies, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), hospital outpatient departments, and rural health centers—per 10,000 people, the report showed.
These findings should help direct public health efforts for vaccine distribution, according to Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, and assistant professor at Pitt School of Pharmacy and the first author of the study.
“This highlights the need for state and local public health officials to tailor their vaccine distribution and administration plans to their specific populations and the current limitations of their state’s existing health care infrastructure,” Berenbrok explained.
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More Stories on Vaccine Distribution Struggles in Rural Communities |
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‘This is a Justice Issue’:
Latinx Americans Three Times Less Likely to have Health Care
Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund's Director Suzanne Gladney Weighs In
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This year, access to affordable health care is more important than ever amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA), created by former president Barack Obama, has reduced some access disparities across various demographics, insurance gains made by Black and Latinx Americans have since stalled “and even eroded” since 2016. Latinx people face the highest disparity. A study of data collected from 2013 to 2018 shows 24.9% of Latinx adults uninsured in 2018 compared with 8.6% of white adults.
Latinx people facing an uninsured rate nearly three times that of their white peers is a national health concern. Several factors are responsible for creating this barrier, including ACA eligibility, cultural and language barriers, and a lack of understanding and support for Latinx adults –especially immigrants and migrant workers navigating health care.
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HCC Submits Application to Become Vaccinator Site |
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HCC of Rural Missouri and its Live Well Community Health Centers have applied to serve as a vaccinator site. We will continue to provide timely updates on this process. Missouri is in phase 1A of the vaccine rollout which prioritizes long-term care facility residents and staff, and patient-facing health care workers. To learn more, visit covidvaccine.mo.gov.
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Go Red for Women is February 5, 2021
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HRSA is offering these learning opportunities in recognition of this annual observance.
New Cervical Cancer Guidelines for Screening and Management during COVID-19 and Beyond
Join HRSA's Office of Women's Health and Office of Regional Operations to get practical information on implementing new clinical guidelines for cervical cancer screening and management. These guidelines were developed in a large consensus effort that involved several clinical organizations and federal agencies and patient representatives.
Tuesday, January 19
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. CT
Diagnosing HPV-Related Cancers, Screening Guidelines Development, and Improving Screening Measures
Hear experts discuss the role of primary care providers and dentists in diagnosing human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer, including via telehealth; an overview of the development of American Cancer Society’s updated cervical cancer screening guidelines; and the steps one health center is taking to improve their screening measures during this unusual year.
Tuesday, January 26
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. CT
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HCC's Suzanne Smith: The Consummate Connector Between Community, Health, and Social Care |
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As Chief Network Development Officer, Suzanne Smith prioritizes community connection and helping those in need. Smith has worked with HCC for six years and in her current role she oversees various programs and resources including the organization’s warehouse, school-based telehealth clinics, transportation services, Project Connect, and the team of community health workers (CHWs). Listen to the podcast.
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Protect Yourself and Others by Getting a Flu Vaccine
According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Flu vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk from flu; many of whom are also at high risk for COVID-19 or serious outcomes.
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HRSA Funds Additional Rural Health Clinics to Expand COVID-19 Testing |
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Listen to HCC / Live Well's Monthly Podcasts |
Bookmark HCC's Soundcloud and don't miss out on interviews with health care professionals dedicated to patient advocacy and highlighting issues in rural health care. |
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Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder |
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Communities throughout our nation continue to be impacted by the opioid epidemic, which has been exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women are uniquely impacted by opioid use: women who use opioids progress to dependence more quickly than men, experience more cravings, and are more likely to relapse.
The toolkit developed by the HRSA Office of Women's Health, with support from the HHS Office on Women's Health, provides resources and information to bolster care coordination services for women with opioid use disorder.
A webinar introducing this toolkit and how to navigate it will be held on January 28. For questions or comments related to the toolkit, please contact HRSAOWH@hrsa.gov.
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2021 Is Your Year to Kick Butts! |
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