This month, HRSA released results of the 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).  The NSCH is the largest, most comprehensive national- and state-level dataset on the health and well‐being of America’s children, their families and their communities.  The Healthy Behaviors among School-aged Children Data Brief presents findings on healthy behaviors among school-aged children (6-17 years) and their relationship to chronic conditions and obesity.  Healthy behaviors include limiting intake of sugary drinks, getting adequate sleep, limiting screen time and getting at least one hour of physical activity every day.  The NSCH provides data on a range of other indicators, such as the prevalence and impact of special health care needs, health care quality and access, physical and mental health, and adverse childhood experiences.  We encourage our partners to use the new 2024 data to better understand the strengths, needs, and health service gaps of America’s children, and to support progress toward solutions that promote their optimal health and well-being.  Watch our NSCH 90-second video and share it so more people learn about and use this valuable resource.

On Dec. 16, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. added Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) — rare genetic conditions — to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) for newborns.  The RUSP is a national guideline for newborn screening.  It consists of a list of conditions for which the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends all newborns receive screening.  The Secretary’s decision to add DMD and MLD to the RUSP helps support early detection, intervention and lifesaving treatments for babies and families impacted by the conditions.  For more information about newborn screening, please visit HRSA’s Newborn Screening Information Center.

In honor of National Rural Health Day, HRSA Administrator Tom Engels visited Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) in Tappahannock, Va.  National Rural Health Day celebrates the incredible efforts of rural healthcare providers, communities, organizations and other stakeholders dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of rural America.  During the visit, BRTA shared the impact of HRSA funding across several rural communities.  These include expanding access to care, scaling telehealth programs, strengthening behavioral health and substance use disorder services, supporting justice-involved individuals, increasing access to Medication for Addiction Treatment, building a Mobile Integrated Healthcare model, and advancing youth prevention efforts.  “These aren’t abstract programs; they’re real outcomes for real people across our service area,” said BRTA’s executive director.  Administrator Engels’ visit offered meaningful recognition on a day dedicated to the healthcare providers who keep rural communities healthy.

On Dec. 8, HRSA hosted the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows as part of the annual orientation for new fellows.  Principal Deputy Administrator Dr. Ann Sheehy, a former RWJF Health Policy Fellow, facilitated the meeting, which featured brief presentations from leaders across HRSA.  The sessions sparked thoughtful questions from the fellows and encouraged rich dialogue with HRSA leaders, offering deeper insight into HRSA’s mission and programs.  This strengthened the fellows’ understanding of the agency’s work and their ability to connect with HRSA during their upcoming placements in Congressional offices and government agencies in Washington, D.C.

• Field Strength and Students and Trainees Dashboards
• Program Applicant Dashboards
• Clinician Dashboards
• Data Downloads

• Applications and award recipients for health workforce loan repayment and scholarship programs:
• National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
• Nurse Corps
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (STAR)
• Pediatric Specialty
• NHSC, Nurse Corps, and Graduate Medical Education alumni data
• Downloadable data files on health workforce programs in the HRSA Data Warehouse

HRSA has updated the OPTN Modernization webpage with new content highlighting our multi-year approach to Modernization.  The refreshed page now includes an outline of HRSA’s phased strategy, as well as links to the OPTN Discovery Task summaries and full reports.  HRSA is excited to share these materials with the broader community, and we remain deeply committed to advancing the critical improvements that will benefit patients and families nationwide.  Learn More.