Improving quality health care in rural communities
Nov. 15 is
National Rural Health Day in Illinois
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[November 15, 2012]
SPRINGFIELD -- In an effort to increase awareness of rural
health-related issues, the Illinois Department of Public Health,
along with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural
Health, is celebrating the second National Rural Health Day. Gov.
Pat Quinn proclaimed Nov. 15 as National Rural Health Day in
Illinois to encourage residents to recognize the unique health care
needs and opportunities in Illinois' rural communities.
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Approximately 62 million people, or almost 1 in 5 Americans, live
in rural areas of the United States. That includes more than 2
million Illinois residents. Yet only 9 percent of all physicians and
12 percent of all pharmacists practice in rural communities.
"Many rural communities face challenges when providing quality
health care, including accessibility -- such as traveling long
distances to a health care provider, a lack of health care providers
in the area, the needs of an aging population suffering from a
greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un-
and underinsured citizens," said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, state health
department director. "National Rural Health Day is an opportunity
for communities, health departments, doctors, hospitals and others
to come together to develop innovative approaches to address the
health needs of rural communities."
Hospitals and health care providers serving rural communities not
only provide quality patient care but also help keep good jobs in
rural Illinois. Hospitals are economic engines in their communities,
with every dollar spent generating approximately $2.20 for the local
economy.
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The IDPH Center for Rural Health offers consultation and
technical assistance to health care consumers and providers to help
them identify health care issues, discuss potential solutions, and
develop and implement plans of action. The center is a vocal
advocate, both in Illinois and nationally, that works to educate
policymakers and the public about the problems rural communities
experience in their efforts to maintain and enhance health care
access.
For more information, visit
http://www.idph.state.il.us/
about/rural_health/rural_home.htm.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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