The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #53803

Peter C. Olden, PhD, Graduate Health Administration Program, University of Scranton, Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, 570 941 4242, oldenp1@uofs.edu and Steven J. Szydlowski, MBA, MHA, Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative, c/o Allied Services, 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

Health problems associated with behavior, lifestyle, and social determinants of health are prevalent in the United States. This is especially true in rural areas where rural populations are underserved and disadvantaged with respect to health compared to the U.S. in general. The DHHS in its Healthy People 2010 called for elimination of health disparities among geographic locations, noting lower levels of health and health care in rural areas. The American health care system has been shifting toward more health promotion and disease prevention services to reduce risk factors and to improve population health. In rural areas, delivery and administration of health services often depends on small rural hospitals that are among the few health institutions in those areas. But small rural hospitals confront many challenges and find it difficult to deliver health promotion and disease prevention services, despite the need for such services. Researchers used case study interviews at nine small rural hospitals to learn how these hospitals overcame obstacles to provide those services. Semi-structured interviews with hospital leaders, plus document reviews, were conducted at nine small rural hospitals in Pennsylvania. Research findings increase understanding of obstacles (such as funding, public image, human resources, and organizational structure) and how small rural hospitals overcame them to provide health promotion and disease prevention services. These results have implications for hospital leaders, health providers, public policy officials, health researchers, and others concerned with behavior, lifestyle, social determinants of health, and health of rural populations.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (
• Discuss rural populations as disadvantaged and underserved in their health services and health. (
• Identify four obstacles faced by rural hospitals that try to provide health services to improve lifestyles and health of rural populations. (
• Analyze four practical strategies used by rural hospitals to overcome obstacles to improve rural lifestyles and health. (
• Apply those strategies at other rural hospitals to improve lifestyles and health of rural populations.

Keywords: Rural Health, Rural Health Service Providers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: This research is based on case study research at nine small rural hospitals whose community health services will be referred to but not by hospital name.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.