Thursday, Nov. 17, is National Rural Health Day

Thursday, Nov. 17 is the 12th annual National Rural Health Day, an observance intended to bring an increased awareness of rural-health related issues.

"National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to celebrate the “power of rural.” We use this day to highlight the unique health care challenges that rural people face. Then, we show how our programs and policies, and the efforts of our partners and stakeholders, help address and reduce health care disparities in rural communities," the Health Resources & Services Administration says on its website.

The event is sponsored by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, which will host a special web event on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. EST titled "Collaboration Carpool: Conversations with Mission-Minded Rural Stakeholders." The event will include representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture, broadband, philanthropy, public health, and rural health clinics and community centers. Go to powerofrural.org/featured-events/ for more information and to register.  

HRSA says its theme is "Advancing Behavioral Health Equity in Rural Communities" and will be hosting four webinars to bring attention to this issue. Click here for more details. Here are a list of dates and topics: 

• Monday, Nov. 14: Mindfulness Based Stress Mitigation in the Workplace (Registration required)
• Tuesday, Nov. 15:  Hidden in Plain Sight: Understanding the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking in Rural communities
• Wednesday, Nov. 16: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Grantee Stories about how they have advanced behavioral equity in their communities 
• Thursday, Nov. 17: Health and Human Services Leadership Panel, discussing HHS programs and initiatives that advance rural behavioral health equity.