Between 2000 and 2010, the nonmetropolitan areas in the US gained more than 1 million residents, but in the last decade, the population fell by 260,000 residents. The decrease from 2010 to 2020 was slight — about half a percentage point, but what is interesting about this change is that it was fueled by increased… Continue reading Rural Population on the Decline
Month: July 2021
Declining Volunteers in EmeRgency SErvices Threaten Rural Community Health
In rural America, it’s increasingly difficult for ambulance services to respond to emergencies. One factor is that emergency medical services are struggling to find young volunteers to replace retiring EMTs. Another is a growing financial crisis among rural volunteer EMS agencies: A third of them are at risk because they can’t cover their operating costs.… Continue reading Declining Volunteers in EmeRgency SErvices Threaten Rural Community Health
Digital Navigators: A Telehealth Game Changer
With the introduction and abrupt shift to telehealth over the past year, the technology required to support telehealth visits is only the first hurdle that needs to be overcome. The user interaction and experience is perhaps the more important hurdle that we must turn our attention to. Over 4 million rural homes have no access… Continue reading Digital Navigators: A Telehealth Game Changer
The Fall of Pediatric Care in Rural Settings
Over the past 10 years, we have seen a steep decline in pediatric hospital care for illness such as asthma, pneumonia, viral infections, and other serious illnesses. The number of inpatient units fell 19%, and beds decreased by 12%. Approximately 34 pediatric units were closed and 300 beds were removed each year on average. Nearly… Continue reading The Fall of Pediatric Care in Rural Settings
How to talk about vaccinations in rural communities
It would appear that most of the country is returning to life, a new normal in this post-pandemic world, but not all communities have been so lucky. Many of the small and rural towns across the country are still quietly dealing with COVID-19. Increasing cases and lower vaccination rates are part of the reason rural… Continue reading How to talk about vaccinations in rural communities
Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium 