A policy brief addresses the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rural areas, including the examination the delivery and quality of COPD care and treatment, payment for pulmonary rehabilitation services, and COPD surveillance. 

Why are some communities healthier than others? Which factors are most important in keeping a population healthy: economics, healthy behaviors, or access to quality care? How does the importance of these factors change when measuring different health conditions? These are all fundamental questions for policymakers and social scientists to consider in order to understand the health of everyday Americans. The recently released Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Index provides a unique and valuable way to try to answer key questions surrounding health.

The report examines the nation’s ability to respond to public health emergencies, tracks progress and vulnerabilities, and includes a review of state and federal public health preparedness policies. The 10 indicators, or measures, are meant to protect against disease, disaster and bioterrorism.

This guide discusses the impact of chronic disease on rural America, how providers and communities can help patients with chronic diseases, and where to look for funding to establish programs to address chronic conditions. The guide provides an overview of chronic disease generally as well as specific conditions, including heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, arthritis, and HIV/AIDS. It includes community wellness and self management programs, statistics and strategies for care coordination.

The report focuses on seven factors that are crucial for enhancing the economic independence of people with disabilities in our society: education, employment, financial assistance and incentives, health care, long-term services and supports, transportation, and housing.

Organization: National Council on Disability

Date: October 2017

Mapping Broadband Health in America 2017 is an interactive mapping platform. It allows users to visualize, overlay and analyze broadband and health data at the national, state and county levels. The resulting maps can be used by both public and private sectors, and local communities, to identify opportunities and gaps in connectivity and care.

Organization: Connect2Health FCC Task Force

Date: June 2017

The report shows that adult obesity rates are showing signs of leveling off, but progress could be eroded if programs are cut and policies are weakened. It also reviews other studies that have found childhood rates have stabilized over the past decade, and decreased among low-income preschoolers. The report provides state profiles, interactive policy maps, and graphics that track obesity rates for both kids and adults nationwide.

Organization: Trust for America’s Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Rural Wisconsin Health 2017 provides a snapshot of health in rural Wisconsin through a compilation of health-related data.

Organization: Wisconsin Office of Rural Health

Date: June 2017

This report provides important information regarding the health status of Wisconsin’s residents — including successes, challenges and identified opportunities to work together to continue to make improvements.

Organization: Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Date: May 2017

The Rankings help counties understand what influences how healthy residents are and how long they will live. They are unique in their ability to measure the current overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. This year’s Ranks found that most of Wisconsin’s 3,200 excess deaths tend to occur in counties with higher populations. However, some counties with smaller populations also have a disproportionate share of avoidable lives lost.