Community Collaboration for Better Rural Health

According to a Georgetown University report, 50% of children in rural Arkansas are covered by Medicaid. At a recent community meeting in Crawford County, community leaders and healthcare professionals attributed this statistic to the high cost of employer-provided insurance and the prevalence of uninsured or underinsured rural workers, such as farmers and small business owners.

This gathering brought together community members to discuss the pressing issues surrounding rural healthcare access. With an engaging panel of speakers and active audience participation, the event shed light on critical areas of need and explored potential solutions to improve health services for rural residents.

Dr. Jade Zimpfer, Assistant Professor of the Masters of Public Health Program at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, highlighted how Arkansas ranks 38th in education, 47th in healthcare, and falls within the diabetes and stroke belts, demonstrating the compounding factors that influence rural health disparities. She emphasized the need to address housing security, food security, and education as integral components of public health.

Emily Cox of Mercy Hospital in Ozark provided an overview of the Community Health Worker (CHW) program, which plays a crucial role in assisting high-risk and vulnerable populations. CHWs connect patients with Medicaid, SNAP benefits, transportation, and prescription assistance programs. Cox noted that, on average, CHWs serve 8-10 patients per day, addressing issues ranging from medical bill assistance to medication access.

Adriana Lacey, Outreach & Education Specialist at River Valley Primary Care Services (RVPCS), elaborated on her role in expanding rural healthcare access. RVPCS operates 12 medical clinics with sliding fee programs, ensuring affordability for uninsured and underinsured families and is working to expand dental and pharmacy services in underserved areas.

These program overviews demonstrated that there are ongoing efforts to improving rural healthcare and resources are readily available to those who know where to look. Community meetings and networking opportunities like community meetings and the 100 Families Initiative are crucial to collaboration between providers.

Yet, gaps in services remain. One of the most discussed challenges was transportation. Panelists and attendees agreed that lack of reliable transportation is a major obstacle for rural residents seeking healthcare. Many residents must travel long distances for specialist care, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Some potential solutions discussed included: Expanding local transportation services to cover rural areas, partnering with churches and community organizations to provide transport assistance, introducing mobile health clinics to bring services directly to communities, and leveraging telehealth solutions to minimize travel requirements.

Another major issue addressed was physician shortages in rural areas. Many patients struggle with continuity of care as doctors frequently relocate. Addressing this requires incentivizing medical professionals to stay in rural communities, possibly through loan repayment programs and increased funding for rural healthcare initiatives.

Panelists emphasized that recognizing privilege plays a significant role in these discussions. Access to healthcare, food, and transportation are often taken for granted by some, while others struggle daily with these basic necessities. By fostering greater awareness and advocacy, the community can work towards more equitable health solutions.

Community members brainstormed next steps and solutions such as creating a task force to develop transportation solutions, engaging local businesses and stakeholders to support healthcare initiatives, and increasing awareness of available resources through outreach programs. When people come together for families, lasting change is possible.