The Rural Impact Podcast & Publishing

What happens when philanthropy intersects with post-secondary education, community, and policy? Find out in this inspirational series closer episode, featuring the work of the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII), with a focus on the organization's three-year Rural Guided Pathways Project, involving 15 rural community colleges working with each other — and with community partners in their regions — to implement evidence-based, institution-wide reforms grounded in the guided pathways framework. Michelle Rathman  sat down with NCII Senior Fellow Gretchen Schmidt, Chuck Lloyd, Vice Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire, and Mark S. Bonta, representing the community partners and rural adult learner perspective. We thank Ascendium's Education Philanthropy for their support in making the entire series possible, including this very special "What's your Impact!' episode!

Set your alarm because tomorrow, we have another episode coming your way! But first, some words of wisdom from de Beaumont Foundation, Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, and public health comms expert, Matt Jacob about strategies to combat health misinformation and strengthen rural public health.   https://bit.ly/4ijlh4b

"Relationships are built at the speed of trust, and social change happens at the speed of relationships." This quote resonated with Michelle Rathman because she has witnessed the power of social change fueled by relationships rooted in trust. Now, we're experiencing a different kind of power, the power of disinformation, using social media to erode public trust by planting seeds of doubt, framing things like vaccines and fluoride as threats, and putting public health on defense. On our latest episode, we invited Public Health Communications Expert Matt Jacob and epidemiologist, public health practitioner, and President and Chief Executive Officer of de Beaumont Foundation Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, to share their insights as to how planting seeds of doubt impact rural public health and the potential domino effect on rural health systems. It's not a light subject; however, we hope you'll find it an enlightening conversation.

Do you know the difference between misinformation and disinformation? In public health, both are harmful, and the latter is designed to create chaos, profit from, power grab, manipulate, and mislead. In this episode, Michelle Rathman sat down with Matt Jacob, a Public Health Communication expert, and Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, president and CEO of de Beaumont Foundation to connect the dots between disinformation, public health, and policy, specifically discussing what the next administration's picks for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could mean for vaccines, research, health equity, and the impacts on rural public health practitioners and departments. Listen where you like. Join our community. Subscribe.

"What kind of society allows an epidemic of childhood trauma to continue?" Please watch the playback of our special event to explore how you can end childhood trauma in your community. https://lnkd.in/ghhZ4g4d

Soon, we'll announce plans for our 2025 season of series and special episodes. Do you have ideas for topics that connect the dots of policy and rural quality of life? Head over to our website (https://lnkd.in/gjXm3E7c) and subscribe, send us a note and we'll give consideration to your ideas. Here's one we think is important from KFF Health News https://lnkd.in/gFi2Emvu

Today we dropped a full episode focused on disinformation, public health and policy. In this short, you'll hear from Jennifer Little, a public health professional serving rural communities in Oregon. Hear what she has to say about building trust in public health. Our thanks to Oregon Office of Rural Health for their hospitality in Bend! https://bit.ly/3Bd1Wku

Federal agencies will soon experience a change in leadership, meaning policy shifts impacting rural areas. In this episode, we highlight the work at the state level driven by the United States Government. Whether it's addressing food security, housing disparities, or access to essential health care services, rural communities across America, regardless of a party label of "red" or "blue" benefit and rely heavily on the funding and supports that make their way to over 60 million people, rural, frontier, tribal and remote alike. Listen to this Rural Impact on The Road in Oregon episode to learn more.

Disinformation is used to spread misinformation driven by malicious intent, for financial gain or political advantage. When the target of misinformation is public health, the consequences range from dangerous to deadly. In our latest episode, Michelle Rathman  was joined by public health communications expert Matt Jacob and Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, MA, CEO of de Beaumont Foundation, to discuss the potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known opponent of vaccinations, to the highest position in the Department of Health and Human Services. During the conversation, they discuss strategies for combatting public health disinformation, the importance of the United States Senate's role in vetting health nominees, the challenges rural health systems face, and the critical need for health equity policy to remain a priority. Listen. Subscribe. Rate. Share.

America is bracing for change in policy. In the case of public health we’re in for a bumpy ride. That’s what we’re talking about on The Rural Impact Podcast & Publishing dropping 12/5! youtu.be/XILMWjIxtSc