Join the Celebration of Rural!

Nov 15, 2023

On November 16 the North Dakota Rural Health Association (NDRHA) and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences will join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and rural health stakeholders in celebrating National Rural Health Day. This is a valuable opportunity to showcase rural North Dakota and bring to light some of the unique healthcare challenges facing America's 62 million rural citizens.

As a stakeholder in a strong rural state, you are already well aware of the "Power of Rural." Our rural communities are vibrant communities to live and work; they are also some of the best places to start a business and test your "entrepreneurial spirit." These communities provide our state and the rest of the country with a wealth of services and commodities. In addition, rural healthcare systems often serve as the largest employer and therefore have a significant economic influence to not only the one community but the surrounding area. However, rural communities face unique healthcare needs. Today, more than ever, we must address accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens, and a pandemic on top of it all.

While there is no way that a simple day of recognition can show our gratitude for all that you do day in and day out to keep our rural communities viable, it is a start! National Rural Health Day is a way to acknowledge and support rural health, so we invite you to join us on November 16 to celebrate National Rural Health Day!

Please take a moment to review the NDRHA brochure and consider joining NDRHA if you aren't already a member. In addition, we encourage you to visit our website to learn more about other ways to celebrate the Power of Rural and the programs available that support rural health in our great state. Please share this information and resources with others in your organization and others, in your community, that you feel would be interested.

Sincerely,

Ben Bucher, President
North Dakota Rural Health Association

Kylie Nissen, State Office of Rural Health Director
Center for Rural Health