Implications Rural health disparities are present in a

Implications Rural health disparities are present in a variety of ways: educationally, socially, economically, etc. With attention to these obstacles health care professionals care begin to understand the needs of rural America

Implications Rural America represents a significant portion of the population – 25% Addressing the health care needs should be a primary focus as they represent a group that experiences decreased health care options but increased governmental aid Initiating early interventions can decrease costs of and need for acute care

Recommendations It is important for nurses and health care professionals to be able to identify what puts a person at risk for health disparities Nurses that work in rural communities should make an effort to understand cultural characteristics Once a risk for health disparity is identified health care workers may need to focus special attention on the community in question

Recommendations Rural areas have great risk for health disparity. Nurses are able to close the gap somewhat: Primary care providers (e. g. advance practice nurses) may provide primary care to rural areas Nurses are able to raise funding for health care in rural areas Nurses are able to provide community nursing to rural areas with focus on disease prevention, management of chronic diseases, and health promotion Nurses can draw national attention to health disparities among the rural community

Recommendations As interventions are made it is important to conduct follow up research: Did the intervention work? Before, during, and after the intervention the worker should make an effort to review comparable situations and the success or failure of those situations

Conclusion Rural areas are at high risk for health disparities related to many factors such as geography, culture, socioeconomic status, etc. Health care is underrepresented in rural communities This population represents a great need for intervention due to its size and the severity of health disparities Nursing and health care have to opportunity to intervene and improve health care in rural America

References Harkness, G. & De. Marco, R. (2012). Community and public health nursing: Evidence for practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins National Rural Health Association. (2015). What's different about rural care? Retrieved from: http: //www. ruralhealthweb. org/go/left/about-ruralhealth U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015). Policy & research. Retrieved from: http: //www. hrsa. gov/ruralhealth/policy/index. html