rural health

Why rural Missouri hospitals are rooting for Medicaid expansion

Harum Helmy and Jennifer Davidson — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:37:55 +0000

The uphill congressional battle to expand Medicaid in Missouri is making rural hospitals that serve areas with high poverty levels really, really nervous. KSMU's Jennifer Davidson has the story.

Rural Reads: On rural definitions and rural doctor shortage

Harum Helmy — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:33:54 +0000

With the Rural Reads series, we’re trying something new. Every Friday, KBIA’s Health and Wealth Desk curates the week’s most interesting (or so we think) articles and reports on rural issues.

What’s in a definition? The eligibility for federal grants

In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report that recommends defining ‘rural’ as areas with 50,000 or fewer residents - a number that's getting some strong reactions. The rural definition determines eligibility for USDA’s rural grants and programs.

The excellent online news service The Daily Yonder is publishing a series of opinion pieces in response to USDA’s newest recommendation. Last week, Aletta Botts, a legislative staffer who helped draft the 2008 Farm Bill, wrote that the 50,000 size limit is too large and would hurt smaller communities that can’t compete with larger towns to win federal grants.

Why local advocates are rallying to support Missouri's 911 Good Samaritan bill

Harum Helmy and Alexandra Olgin — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:34:47 +0000

A recent study by researchers at Chicago’s Roosevelt University found that between 2007 and 2011, the number of deaths from heroin overdose in the state of Missouri more than tripled. In 2007, fewer than 70 people died from heroin overdose. In 2011, that number ballooned to 244.

Studies show most accidental overdoses happen in the presence of others. KBIA’s Alexandra Olgin takes us to a rally in Jefferson City on Tuesday supports a bill that could encourage overdose witnesses to be a Good Samaritan and call 911.

How sequestration leads to cuts in research, Medicare

Kristofor Husted — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:10:07 +0000

Coming up we’ll tackle sequestration which is set to occur March 1. But first, when a large group of farmers in the Southeast banded together to sue a powerful dairy cooperative a few years ago, many hoped that the case would bring big changes to the industry. But as Peggy Lowe of Harvest Public Media reports, the recent settlement of the case involving Kansas City-based Dairy Farmers of America has resulted in some money for small farmers in the short term but little long-term reform.

New program eases debt for rural medical students

Jacob Fenston — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:46:16 +0000

The average medical school student graduates with close to $160,000 in debt. That heavy burden is one reason why there is a long-running shortage of primary care doctors in rural America. More and more graduating students choose higher-paying specialties over rural primary care. In this weekly update, a new pilot program helps medical students pay off loans as soon as they start residency, so it's easier to choose a lower-paying, but possibly more fulfilling career path.

How One Hospital Entices Doctors To Work In Rural America

Peggy Lowe — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:29:09 +0000

Recruiting doctors to live and work in rural America is a chronic problem. Most health centers try to attract workers with big salaries and expensive homes.

Shots previously reported that one center in Maine was trying to lure medical students to the countryside for their final two years with the hope that they stick around.

The Ashland Health Clinic, a tiny hospital in southwest Kansas, is trying a different tack — a reverse-recruitment model.

Versus urban areas, rural Missouri has poorer health, fewer doctors

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:45:25 +0000

Health is generally poorer in rural Missouri compared to urban areas, yet there is a distinct shortage of primary care physicians in rural Missouri. KBIA’s Jacob Fenston has reported that the shortage is only expected to worsen over the next ten years as the elderly population expands.

This graphic shows some of these inequalities--click through for more detail. Created by Lydia Mulvany.

Growing doctors in rural Missouri

Jacob Fenston — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:30:42 +0000

In rural Missouri, there are roughly half as many primary care doctors per person, compared to urban parts of the state. That's a problem, when you consider that rural residents are also older (about three years, on average) and poorer (about five percent more live in poverty). In this Health & Wealth report, small towns in Missouri are facing the shortage by "growing their own" doctors and nurses, starting as early as middle school.

Rural women diagnosed later

Jacob Fenston — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:56:15 +0000

Women in rural Missouri are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a late stage than women in urban or suburban counties. In this weekly Health & Wealth update, the urban / rural disparity in breast cancer detection.

Should Medical School Be Free?

Jacob Fenston — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:23:48 +0000

Heck yeah!! So should lunch. But two researchers say making medical school free could send more young doctors into primary care and rural practice, thus solving one of the big challenges facing health care today. And they've got a way to pay for it too.