The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has a new service to help keep consumers informed of the agency's latest health care research findings, news, and information. It's Healthcare 411—an audio newscast that features synopses of the latest findings and information on current health care topics. Go to www.healthcare411.org to hear the newscasts through your computer or download them to a portable digital player such as an iPod®.

Rural Health Information Service now available

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Local and Rural Health recently announced a new program designed to serve as an information clearinghouse on rural health care issues ranging from grant funding to training opportunities to reimbursement issues to bioterrorism preparedness, and more.

The "Kansas Rural Health Information Service" is free and open to anyone interested in rural health. Information is posted to a public web site and will also be emailed or faxed to anyone who registers to receive notices. During registration, users are asked to select categories of interest from a list of topics that includes information on hospitals, emergency medical services, trauma, primary care, public health, and bioterrorism preparedness. The goal of the service is to eliminate traditional "inbox clutter," sending registrants only the types of information they choose to receive.

To register or to learn more about the Kansas Rural Health Information Service, visit http://krhis.kdhe.state.ks.us or contact Chris Tilden in the Office of Local and Rural Health at ctilden@kdhe.state.ks.us or (785) 296-7439.

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