Rural Healthcare Issues Carolyn Bern Director, Office of Community Affairs Carolyn.bern@adph.state.al.us

Healthy Communities “A healthy community is one that continuously creates and improves both its physical and social environments, helping people to support one another in aspects of daily life and to develop to their fullest potential” Healthy People 2010, HHS

www.adph.org – A to Z index – CHA- Community Health Needs Assessment Resources State of Alabama Community Health Needs Assessment – 2015 13 Top Healthcare Priorities and Data Access to Care Mental Health and Substance Abuse Poor Pregnancy Outcomes Nutrition and Physical Activity Cardiovascular Disease Sexually Transmitted Infections Cancer Child Abuse and Neglect Diabetes Geriatrics Injury and Violence Prevention Oral Health Cigarette Smoking www.adph.org – A to Z index – CHA- Community Health Needs Assessment

2015 State of Alabama Community Health Improvement Plan Resources 2015 State of Alabama Community Health Improvement Plan Access to Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Mental Health and Substance Abuse www.adph.org- ACHIP - Community Health Improvement Plan

Email: carolyn.bern@adph.state.al.us Resources 2015 Provider-Side Transportation Assessment Survey Completed by Regional Planning Commission/City Council of Government Regions. Based on input from rural safety net providers. Part of ACHIP Policy - Volunteer Transportation Email: carolyn.bern@adph.state.al.us

New Resource Health Care Recruitment Ready Cities Program Created for ACE Communities Aging Healthcare Workforce Healthcare Infrastructure needed for Economic Development Most counties in Alabama are Primary Care, Mental Health and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas Gap between number of retiring doctors and number of available doctors will put more pressure on rural communities to replace aging doctors.