1. Rural Health Patti J. Patterson, MD, MPH Professor of Pediatrics VP for Rural and Community Health

19. Suicide rates among persons > age 14: US 1996-98

20. Rural Workforce -- What works?? Institutional mission Institutional mission Rural background Rural background Rural training Rural training Family medicine specialty Family medicine specialty Proximity of family Proximity of family Good K-12 schools Good K-12 schools Favorable practice environment Favorable practice environment

22. Prepared by West Texas AHEC Program Office, February 2004 (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)

23. Overcoming distances

27. It’s about more than just access to care.

31. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990 Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

32. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1995 Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

33. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2000 Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

34. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 2001 Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

35. Obesity among adults >17, US, 1997-98 by level of urbanization

36. Obesity among rural persons > 17 by region

37. Keys to making a difference Creativity Creativity Practical solution Practical solution Beware of unintended consequences Beware of unintended consequences