Tennessee applies for a share of $50 billion fund for rural healthcare
The Public Health Update is a bi-weekly column keeping you informed about news impacting public health and environmental health in Memphis and Shelby County.
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- The Shelby County Health Department is offering free, discreet in-home HIV self-test kits to residents.
- Tennessee has applied for federal grant funding to improve healthcare access in rural communities.
- A new program from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture aims to help veterans transition into farming careers.
The Shelby County Health Department launched a new program that allows residents to have free in-home HIV self-test kits discreetly sent to their homes, the health department announced Nov. 8.
Anyone 14 years and older with a residential address can order a self-test kit, which will be delivered in unmarked packaging, according to a press release from SCHD. The kit also includes instructions and resources to “connect the user with information they need to protect their health, whether their result is negative or positive.”
Residents can order a kit at 901hivtesting.com. The website also includes information about free HIV testing sites, clinics that provide HIV treatment and how to get PrEP/PEP medications that can prevent infection.
Tennessee applies for funding for rural healthcare
The State of Tennessee applied for federal grant funding for healthcare in rural communities, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced on Nov. 5.
Tennessee will compete with other states for money from the Rural Health Transformation Program, which makes $50 billion available over the next five years to support rural health systems and expand access to care. A sum of $5 billion will be shared among participating states each year, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will distribute the remaining $5 billion based on “competitive scoring criteria.”
“Tennessee has an historic opportunity to invest in and strengthen healthcare for rural communities for generations to come,” Lee said. “We know what works, because supporting at-risk and underserved Tennesseans has been a priority of my administration since day one. I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for their partnership to ensure better care, closer to home, for every Tennessean.”
Congress established the RHTP through the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025.
Tennessee launches program to help veterans transition into farming
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture launched new resources to help military veterans and service members transition into agriculture and farm businesses, the agency announced Nov. 4.
A new Military Farmers’ webpage published by the TDA offers information on permitting, agricultural grants and state veteran benefits, alongside guidelines on starting and maintaining a farm.
“These resources are designed to make it easier for veterans to build meaningful careers in agriculture,” said Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt. “We’re proud to support those who have served our country and state by helping them find success in Tennessee’s diverse agricultural industry.”
In a testimonial on the site, farmer and veteran Nick Nicholls said he turned to beekeeping to cope with PTSD after he retired from the U.S. Army.
Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @jca2902.
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