Rural Health
During the last century the United States moved rapidly from a rural to an urban-based society. More than 80 percent of the U.S. population now lives in urban areas, which has created many challenges for rural populations, including decreased access to quality health care. Rural areas are more dispersed with fewer resources, naturally leading to fewer health care options, especially when individuals are in need of specialists. Health care providers also generally receive less compensation in rural areas, creating nursing, dentist, and physician shortages. These issues and others have led to health disparities between rural and urban populations that have widened more recently.
News
Regional
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Missouri Democrats say rural hospitals need expanded Medicaid2013-02-19 10:22
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KCUR News, September 17, 20122012-09-17 10:25
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By Mike Sherry for KHI News Service, Aug. 2, 20122012-08-02 12:12
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By Mike Sherry, for the KHI News Service, July 9, 20122012-07-09 14:25
National
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Kaiser Health News, February 7, 20132013-02-07 10:17
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By Mike Sherry, for KHI News Service, June 4, 20122012-06-04 15:06
Resources
Regional
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Rural Health Resources
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Based out of the University of Missouri, Iowa State University, and the University of Nebraska, the Rural Policy Research Institute provides unbiased analysis and information on the challenges, needs, and opportunities facing rural America. RUPRI’s aim is to spur public dialogue and help policymakers understand the rural impacts of public policies and programs.
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A non-profit, grass-roots, member-driven organization whose mission is to safeguard and improve the health of rural Missourians.
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Health professionals committed to providing a forum to exchange information specific to federally-certified Rural Health Clinics.
National
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Health Resources and Services Information
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National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology
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Information portal that helps rural communities and other rural stakeholders access the full range of available programs, funding, and research that can enable them to provide quality health and human services to rural residents.
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Provides timely analysis to federal and state health policy makers, based on the best available research.
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Provides technical assistance, information, tools and resources for the improvement of rural health care.
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The association's mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues.
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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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Alliance for Health Reform and the United Health Foundation.
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Coordinates activities related to rural health care within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Facts
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Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population, or 60 million people, live in rural areas, yet only 8% of all physicians work there.
Rural Health Fact Sheet, Office of Rural Health. September 2009.
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Large metropolitan areas have 62 dentists per 100,000 people versus 29 per 100,000 people in the most rural counties.
Meeting Oral Health Care Needs in Rural America, National Rural Health Association, August 2005.
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Rural residents have higher rates of age-adjusted mortality, disability, and chronic disease than their metropolitan counterparts.
Health Status and Health Care Access of Farm and Rural Populations, USDA Economic Research Service, August 2009.
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Abuse of alcohol and use of smokeless tobacco is a significant problem among rural youth.
What's Different about Rural Health Care? National Rural Health Association: http://www.ruralhealthweb.org/go/left/about-rural-health
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The vast majority of substance abuse treatment facilities are located in either a metropolitan county or a county adjacent to a metro county.
Distribution of Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Across the Rural – Urban Continuum, Maine Rural Health Research Center, February 2008.
From the Blogs
Local Health Buzz
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Tue, April 9, 2013
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Mon, April 8, 2013
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Thu, April 4, 2013
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Tue, April 2, 2013
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Thu, March 28, 2013
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Mon, March 25, 2013