Advocacy

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased need to spotlight and focus on public health priorities. Rural communities and populations are not exempt from this spotlight. Multiple examples of rural health disparities emerged in the public health literature, including infectious disease, health care access, and racial health inequities. Additionally, public health agencies have emerged to address chronic disease and health disparities within the populations they serve. Rural public health agencies, specifically, work to protect and improve the health of rural populations by preventing injuries and the spread of disease, protecting rural populations against environmental hazards, promoting and encouraging positive health behaviors, responding to disasters, and many other populations health support. We encourage you to utilize the following advocacy materials and external resources when you are advocating for rural public health!