This notice solicits applications for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Rural Health and Economic Development Analysis Program. The purpose of this Program is to increase public and stakeholder awareness of the economic impacts of rural health care sectors on rural, state, and national economies as well as the relationship between community economic development1 and the health outcomes of rural residents. Additionally, the Rural Health and Economic Development Analysis Program seeks to quantify the impact of rural health care, conduct analyses of the link between the health of the economy in a rural community and the health outcomes of the residents of those communities, and assist rural stakeholders in performing these analyses. The program will disseminate findings on the economic impact of health services in rural communities for rural stakeholders. Topic areas for this program may include sustainability of services and minimum population requirements as it relates to the economic vitality of the rural community, as well as other topics determined in coordination with HRSA. HRSA will work closely with the award recipient on areas of concern such as the impact of hospital closures on local economies, the benefits of different types of health care providers on care and sustainability of services, use of telehealth, new models for provision of services, and impact of bypass of local rural services and other emerging issues. The award recipient’s work will help improve the understanding of spillover effects of rural health care. The award recipient, in coordination with HRSA, will offer training and technical expertise to public or private entities including state and local governments, hospitals, Rural Health Clinics and other provider groups, and faith-based and community-based organizations in the use of tools for analyzing the economic impact and sustainability of health care services.
