Grant to Help Research Unmet Health Needs in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A charitable trust established by the late hotel and real estate baroness Leona Helmsley is providing $1.4 million to research unmet health care services and needs in South Dakota.

Officials say there currently is not an accurate estimate of the unmet health needs in rural areas, and this will be the first statewide research study of its kind.

The grant is coming from the Rural Healthcare Program of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. Leading the project will be two researchers in Portland, Ore., one of whom is a South Dakota native.

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