Educating and Informing

The Center for Rural Health is committed to enhancing the understanding of rural health issues in our state, region, and the nation. We work with a wide range of rural stakeholders to:

• Raise awareness about the challenges facing rural communities
• Help people working on rural issues share their experiences and learn from one another
• Support informed decision making

What We Can Do for You

In the area of educating and informing, we offer:

• Key North Dakota rural statistics, maps and supporting information via fact sheets and other publications.
• Presentations by our staff on a wide variety of rural health topics. For more details or to request a presentation, see our speakers bureau.
• Professional development opportunities at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health as well as other workshops and meetings.
• E-mail updates on state and national resources and opportunities via the Center for Rural Health Update
• The Rural Health Information Hub's website offers an online clearinghouse with information on 80 key rural health and human services topics and all 50 states, examples of successful programs and approaches, tools to support grant writing, free customized assistance and much more.

Our Expertise

Our staff and faculty present and publish on a wide range of rural health topics at the national, regional, tribal, state and community levels. We also serve on a variety of national and regional boards, committees, and taskforces, all with the aim of helping to inform people, organizations, and policy discussions about rural issues.

We provide information to the North Dakota Legislature, the Governor’s office, and our state’s federal delegation, as well as to legislative staff across the country.

The Center for Rural Health has operated the Rural Assistance Center for nearly ten years and also oversees one other national online information portal, the Rural Health Research Gateway.

Key Contact

Kristine Sande, MBA - Associate Director

Most Recent Publications

• Trauma Caused by Injury or Abuse in Late Life: Experiences, Impacts, and the Federal Response
  Discussion paper identifying resources that work to prevent injury and abuse in elders and help those who have experienced these tragedies deal with their ramifications.
  Author(s): Iyengar, V., Link, G., Beatty, P., Boel, M., Crockett, C., DiCocco, C., Fink, D., Gray, J., LaCounte, C., Miller, A., Phillippi, M., Skowronski, S., Twomey, M., Williams, T.
  Publication: National Academy of Medicine
  Date: January 2019
  Type: Journal Article
• Driven by Data, Fueled by Figures, Stoked by Statistics
  The North Dakota Healthcare Workforce Group uses data to provide accurate feedback and data driven recommendations for future rural health policies.
  Author(s): Leier, M.
  Date: January 2019
  Type: Other
• Community Stages “Skittle Skool” to Help Tackle Big Issues Facing Youth
  Community agencies and services in Stanley, North Dakota, came together to address the opioid crisis with area students. Presenters addressed the youth through creative and interactive activities and conversations.
  Author(s): Haugen, B.
  Date: October 2018
  Type: Other
• Participation in Cultural Traditions Promotes Happiness and Peacefulness Among American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Elders
  This article examines the relationship between participation in cultural practices and emotional health among American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) elders.
  Author(s): Herting, A., Adamsen, C.
  Date: September 2018
  Type: Fact Sheet
• Crowdsourcing Physician Recruitment
  The town of Grafton, North Dakota uses a community team approach to recruit two family physicians for their hospital.
  Author(s): Kusler, S.
  Publication: North Dakota Medicine, 43(3), 12-13
  Date: September 2018
  Type: Magazine

Most Recent Presentations

• Findings from the North Dakota State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis (Opioid STR)
  Presented by Peterson, M., Dulitz, M., Dickson, L. on Jun 13, 2018 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Tips for Telling Your Rural Story
  Presented by Sande, K., Miller Temple, K., Leier, M. on May 09, 2018 at the National Rural Health Association's Annual Rural Health Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Preparing a Strong Rural Health Message
  Presented by Schroeder, S. on Jun 14, 2017 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Minot, North Dakota
• Disrespect of Our Elders: Elder Abuse in Indian Country
  Presented by Gray, J. on May 10, 2017 at the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Research to Practice (R2P), Webinar Series
• Preparing a Strong Rural Health Message
  Presented by Schroeder, S. on Mar 07, 2017 at the Delta States Rural Development Network Program Partnership Meeting, Washington, D.C.