MONTGOMERY-Governor Robert Bentley has declared the week of November 17-21, 2014 as Rural Health Week in
Alabama. This week includes November 20, which has been declared as National Rural Health Day.
The availability of adequate and quality health care, that is often taken for granted in our more
urbanized counties, is far from a reality in many of Alabama’s rural counties. Currently, only two of
Alabama’s 54 rural counties are not entirely or partially classified as having a shortage of primary care
physician services. All 54 rural counties are classified as shortage areas for the provision of dental and
mental health care. Three rural counties do not have a full-time dentist in the entire county. Only 17
of the 54 rural counties have hospitals that deliver babies with other rural hospitals currently
considering ceasing this basic service. Sixteen rural counties do not have a dialysis clinic. The
availability of emergency medical service varies greatly from county to county in our rural areas.
These are only a few of the greater health care concerns that our rural areas are consistently
confronting.
Having adequate and quality health care available throughout Alabama, including our rural areas, is of
critical importance to everyone, regardless of where they may live. Alabamians are highly mobile,
consistently traveling through rural and urban areas. Knowing that adequate and quality health care is
available throughout Alabama is an assurance that everyone needs. Anyone from any area can
suddenly find themselves or someone very important to them in need of health care service in a rural
area. Rural health care is not just for rural residents.
Recruiting industry to an area that does not have adequate and quality health care is extremely difficult.
In addition to being a necessity for recruiting industry, healthcare, itself, is an engine for economic
development. Studies indicate that each primary care physician opening a new office produces an
annual economic impact of up to $1.7 million for the community, state, and nation.
The vast majority of goods that we enjoy, including those that are vital to our survival, were produced
in rural areas or produced using resources from rural areas. Our rural areas are of critical importance
to the survival of everyone. In addition to being the source of so many necessities to our survival, our
rural areas were responsible for making Alabama and America a world leader and must be the source
for returning us to this prominence.
Alabama’s rural areas provide encouragement during difficult times. During the past three years,
Alabama industries have exported record high values of Alabama-made goods to approximately 200
other countries.
In celebrating Rural Health Week and Day, recognize and appreciate the critical importance of rural
Alabama and other rural areas.
MEDIA RELEASE/ALABAMA RURAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION/DALE E. QUINNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
