Telemedicine is emerging as a vital solution for rural hospitals striving to maintain access to specialty and acute care. Health systems are leveraging virtual care to connect patients with specialists in neurology, pulmonology and other fields, bridging gaps created by clinician shortages and travel barriers. Hospitals are moving toward "virtual-first" strategies, integrating telehealth not just within the hospital but also as part of broader community outreach. These efforts help ensure patients have timely access to high-quality care without having to leave their local area.

Rising health care costs don't have to mean cuts in behavioral health benefits. Plans and employers are transforming mental health into a strategic investment with measurable ROI: 26% lower total healthcare spend and proven productivity gains.

The transition from pediatric to adult primary care can be challenging for adolescents, with only 15% receiving appropriate transition planning, according to a 2020 CDC study. Research indicates significant loss to follow-up for adolescents with chronic conditions, such as congenital heart disease and type 1 diabetes, as they move to adult care.

Benign acute childhood myositis is a rare and temporary complication of influenza that primarily affects school-age children, causing muscle inflammation and intense pain, which can lead to an inability to walk. It is most commonly seen in boys and can be triggered by a flu virus that provokes an immune response, leading to muscle cell destruction.

A study in the Journal of Primary Care & Community Health found that adults 65 and older reported an average of 6.2 symptoms over a two-week period, with the most common being back pain, joint pain and insomnia. Most symptoms persisted for more than two weeks, and over-the-counter medications and a wait-and-see approach were the most common management strategies.

Rural areas experience notably worse access to cardiac rehabilitation facilities compared with metropolitan counties, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The research showed that among all US counties, the median distance to the nearest county with a CR facility was more than 16 miles.

A study of nearly 20,000 children found that higher temperature exposure was linked to lower rates of achieving developmental milestones. Research published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry also showed that children in urban areas and lower-income households were especially at risk.

Some patients in North Carolina have received unexpected bills for self-administered questionnaires assessing mental health and social drivers of health needs. Novant Health began charging for these surveys in 2024 and connecting patients to resources if needed, but patients say they were not informed of the charges before completing the questionnaires. Some commercial insurers expect such screenings to be included in the total visit charge and will not pay a separate fee.