Colorado: Rural health-care providers are studying an idea that expands the role of emergency medical personnel in rural areas. Emergency medical responders in Montezuma County learned about the community paramedic program, where emergency medical personnel provide health care to patients in their homes before an emergency room visit is necessary.

Montezuma County was recently identified as lacking primary health-care providers by the US Department of Health and Human Services. As many as 80 percent of emergency-room visits are for nonemergency treatment – ultimately costing three times more than a visit to a doctor’s office.

North Dakota: US census data released in December shows North Dakota’s population is at a record high, passing the previous record set more than 80 years ago.

The Census Bureau data shows North Dakota’s population at 683,932 residents. That’s up from the previous record of 680,845 residents set in 1930. North Dakota’s strong economy powered by booming oil fields has attracted many new residents in past years. The state showed an increase of more than 11,300 people in the past year.

For more information, contact Virginia Wolking, virginiaw@cfra.org or 402.687.2100.