Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rural Areas Face Health Challenges
Cancer is epidemic in eastern Kentucky, a result of medical illiteracy, limited access to care, unhealthy lifestyles and poverty. In fact, life expectancy in the region is five years shorter than the rest of the nation. But state health officials are aiming to change that with comprehensive prevention and education initiatives. (Judd, 3/25)
Rural counties in Wisconsin have higher rates of premature death overall than urban counties — and almost one in five rural counties saw rises in premature death rates over the past decade. They also have higher rates of smoking, obesity, child poverty and teen births than their urban counterparts. (Boulton, 3/26)
After some maneuverings at the eleventh hour of its 2016 session, the General Assembly passed a bill that would allow an individual or corporation to get a state tax credit for donating money to a rural health care organization. The proposal had appeared to be blocked recently when a Senate health committee rejected the idea. But the tax credits passed in the after-midnight voting on the last day of the legislative session Thursday. (Miller, 3/25)
