This year’s celebration takes place on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The focus is on highlighting strategies to achieve health equity in rural communities.
Since 2010, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) set aside the third Thursday of every November to celebrate National Rural Health Day.
Why do we celebrate National Rural Health Day?
National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to celebrate the “power of rural.” We use this day to highlight the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face. We showcase the efforts healthcare providers, State Offices of Rural Health, and other stakeholders take to address health care disparities in rural communities.
We highlight the healthcare challenges for people who live in rural areas. Then, we show how our programs and policies address these challenges.
Participate in education events focused on Rural Health
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is hosting webinars in the days leading up to National Rural Health Day. You will need to register in advance for some events. Webinars will also highlight efforts from other agencies within the federal government.
Monday, November 15, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar for Rural Communities
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH)
12 – 1:30 p.m. CST
Learn more about federal COVID-19 resources, healthcare workforce mandates, healthcare coverage related to COVID-19 vaccines, and more.
Audience: community partners and providers in rural areas.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Enhancing Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in Critical Access Hospitals
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP)
2 – 3 p.m. CST
Hear about antibiotic stewardship programs at Critical Access Hospitals. You will also hear from The Joint Commission about upcoming revisions to their antibiotic stewardship standards and receive practical advice for meeting these standards.
Twitter Chat: Digital Equity and the Health of Rural Americans
Rural Health Information Hub and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
12 – 1 p.m. CST
This #RuralHealthChat explores technology inequities that people in rural areas experience. This includes access to broadband, telehealth, and patient portals. This #RuralHealthChat will also allow attendees to learn more about funding opportunities that can help rural communities with their efforts to improve digital equity and broadband access.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Federal Efforts to Achieve Health Equity in Rural Communities
FORHP
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. CST
Learn about federal efforts to achieve health equity in rural America. Panelists will present on strategies the Administration is taking to prioritize health equity and eliminate disparities in health access, policy, and practice. Panelists will include:
- Diana Espinosa, Acting Administrator, HRSA
- Catherine Oakar, Special Assistant to the President for Community Public Health and Disparities, White House Domestic Policy Council
- Tom Morris, Associate Administrator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA
- Dr. LaShawn McIver, Director, Office of Minority Health, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Dr. Loretta Christensen (PDF – 196 KB), Chief Medical Officer, Indian Health Service
Addressing Health Disparities in Rural Communities: FORHP Grantee Highlights
FORHP
2 – 3 p.m. CST
Learn about projects funded through FORHP grants. Hear from FORHP grantees as they share their work and best practices to create equitable access to health care in their communities.
Telling the Rural Star Stories
National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
1 – 2 p.m. CST
Behind the big headlines of rural health are the extraordinary people who make rural life better. Their stories tell the real “power of rural. ” Hear stories on resolve, resiliency, relationships, and readiness and lessons learned.
NIH Rural Health Day Seminar: Structural-Level Determinants of Rural Health Disparities
NIH Rural Health Special Interest Group
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST
Learn more about 1) sociocultural and economic determinants of health in rural populations, 2) physical environmental determinants of health in rural populations, and 3) evaluation, measurements, and policy implications on rural health.
The NIH Rural Health Special Interest Group includes the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
