3125.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 3:10 PM

Abstract #15646

Tobacco settlement funds: Creative means to address rural health improvements

Caroline Ford, MPH and Gerald Ackerman, MS, CHES. School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Mail Stop 150, Reno, NV 89557, 775-784-4841, cford@med.unr.edu

Nevada was one of only several states to secure Tobacco settlement funding to address rural health needs through a legislatively approved process. The approach to the state's governor and legislators resulted in language and an appropriation for one million dollars. The funds, earmarked to address Emergency Medical Services, rural hospital financing and telecommunications capacity, were priority issues for rural and frontier Nevada.

Broad system issues ranging from public health and obstetrical care to Alzheimer's interventions and treatments have been crafted into a community based approach to address a spectrum of rural health improvements.

Learning Objectives: At the close of the session participants will be able to:

  1. Identify unique political approaches in securing funding for health care programs.
  2. Understand the development of integrating disparate health programs into a community based health improvement program.
  3. Determine priority rural health issues and improvement measures that are attained through tobacco settlement funding.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA