Rural Health

In 2014, roughly 47 million Americans lived in “dental health professional shortage areas,” a geographic area or a population group where there are 5,000 or more individuals per dentist so designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In six states, at least 20 percent of the population lives in shortage areas with little or no access to dentists. Dental care is the greatest unmet health need among children in the United States, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Every year, tens of millions of children, many of them from low-income families, go without seeing a dentist. The dental workforce traditionally has been limited to dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, all of whom are licensed at the state level. However, Minnesota and Maine have authorized mid-level dental practitioners to expand the reach of the dental workforce.

While debate about improving the nation’s health care system continues, policymakers, health care experts and consumers essentially agree on three goals—improving patient care, creating healthier communities and reducing health care costs. States face huge challenges in developing successful strategies for broad population impact, and even bigger challenges for having a positive impact in rural areas and among certain disadvantaged population groups. Speakers addressed strategies for improving population health, increasing immunization coverage, and providing data to guide state decision-making.

Programs under federal health reform aim to tackle the persistent challenges of rural health disparities through expanded access and quality. New investments in rural primary care work force development and changes to rural hospital financing are part of the strategies to improve quality and reduce cost while improving health. State experts will describe how investments in telemedicine are bringing immediate specialized care to remote areas to save lives and reduce unnecessary care and costs. Hear about state successes in teaching patients to effectively manage chronic diseases, showing how integrating information technology, coordinating health providers, and incorporating evidence-based service improvement could diminish rural health disparities.