Rural Health

Rural Health Special Interest Group (http://www.aap.org/commpeds/socp/sigRH.html)
Members of the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics may also become members of the rural health special interest group (SIG). Rural SIG members develop educational programs and are building a supportive network for pediatricians in rural areas.

Internet Resources for Rural America (www.rurdev.usda.gov/other_sites.html)
This site lists many online resources that are useful for learning more about rural issues in the United States. Topic areas include: Internet Directories on Rural Issues, Governmental Resources on Rural Issues, Rural Telecommunications, Rural Health, Rural Education, Rural Economic Development Resources, Smart Growth, Welfare Information, Workforce Development, Transportation Resources, and National Organizations with Rural Resources.

National Association of Rural Health Clinics (www.narhc.org/)
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) is a national organization dedicated exclusively to improving the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care in rural under served areas through the Rural Health Clinics (RHC) Program. NARHC works with Congress, federal agencies, and rural health allies to promote, expand, and protect the RHC Program.

National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (www.research.marshfieldclinic.org/children/)
The National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety strive to enhance the health and safety of all children exposed to hazards associated with agricultural work and rural environments.

National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
(http://thesmartclicks.info/results.aspx/national-health-organization)
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) was initiated to become an influential voice for state rural health concerns. The members of NOSORH strive to develop increased communication and involvement with the 50 State Offices of Rural Health, build strong relationships with other health care groups, and find the sources of revenue to improve its effectiveness.

National Rural Health Association (www.nrharural.org/)
National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is a national membership organization, consisting of approximately 2000 members, whose mission is to improve the health and health care of rural Americans and to provide leadership on rural issues through advocacy, communications, education and research. The NRHA is a non-profit association head quartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with a government affairs office in Washington, DC.

Office of Rural Health Policy (ruralhealth.hrsa.gov)
The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) promotes better health care service in rural America and is located in the Health Resources and Services Administration. Congress charged the Office with informing and advising the Department of Health and Human Services on matters affecting rural hospitals, and health care, coordinating activities within the department that relate to rural health care, and maintaining a national information clearinghouse.

WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (http://depts.washington.edu/uwrhrc/index.html)
The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) is one of eight rural research centers funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) to perform policy-oriented research on issues related to rural health care. Major areas of inquiry being conducted at the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, & Idaho (WWAMI) RHRC focus on the training and supply of rural health care providers and the content and outcomes of the care they provide; the availability and quality of care for rural women and children, including obstetric and perinatal care; and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations.

Rural Health Resource Center (http://www.ruralcenter.org/)
The Rural Health Resource Center is a national non-profit organization based in Duluth, Minnesota. The Rural Health Resource Center provides technical assistance, information, tools and resources for the improvement of rural health care. Primary areas of focus are performance improvement, health information technology, health care work force, organizational development and community health initiatives.

Rural Information Center: (www.nal.usda.gov/ric/)
The Rural Information Center (RIC) provides information and referral services to local, state, and federal government officials; community organizations; libraries; businesses; and, rural citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas. The RIC Website contains over 2500 links to current and reliable information on a wide variety of rural resources and funding sources.

Rural Policy Research Institute (www.rupri.org)
The RUPRI (Rural Policy Research Institute) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis is one of six Rural Health Research Centers funded by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP). The mission of the Center is to provide timely analysis to federal and state health policy makers, based on the best available research. The research of the RUPRI Center focuses on rural health care financing/system reform, rural systems building, and meeting the health care needs of special rural populations.