Recorded presentation

Michael Meit, MA, MPH, Center for Rural Health Practice, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701, 814-362-5050, meit@pitt.edu, Janet L. Place, MPH, NC Institute for Public Health, UNC School of Public Health, CB# 8165, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8165, Claudia Schur, PhD, Department of Health Survey, Program and Policy Research, NORC, 7500 Old Georgetown Rd, Suite 620, Bethesda, MD 20814, Andorra, Brent M. Ewig, MHS, Access Policy, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, and Gail R. Bellamy, PhD, Director of Community Studies, West Virginia Institute for Health Policy Research, 3110 MacCorkle SE, Charleston, WV 25304.

Purpose: Rural health research has tended to focus on access to care issues, often to the exclusion of broader public health issues such as health behavior, environmental health, disease surveillance, etc. The purpose of the Rural Public Health Research Agenda is to stimulate researchers to consider rural populations as they design and implement studies, consider new research activities looking at those issues that impact rural populations, and to encourage funding agencies and foundations to consider rural research as they prioritize funding opportunities. Significance: Rural citizens experience significant disparities in health status. The Research Agenda guides efforts aimed at exploring and addressing these disparities more effectively.

Methods: In September, 2003, the University of Pittsburgh Center for Rural Health Practice hosted the rural public health research agenda setting conference. Public health researchers and practitioners from across the country participated. Topic areas were defined under the headings of Workforce Development and Competency Enhancement, Rural Public Health Preparedness, Rural Public Health Infrastructure, Access to Care/Safety Net Support, Environmental Issues, and Rural Health Disparities. The essence of discussions were captured and distilled into a final product, the Rural Public Health Research Agenda.

Results: Core research questions were identified and prioritized as part of this effort. The presentation will focus on the process of developing the Research Agenda and highlight identified research priorities. Copies of the Research Agenda will be provided.

Implications: Research based on the identified priorities will advance efforts to develop initiatives and programs aimed at reducing disparities between rural and non-rural populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the broad array of underlying issues contributing to health disparities among rural citizens
• Understand the need to include rural populations in research efforts to improve overall health status
• Conceptualize research priorities to advance rural public health practice
• Summarize core differences between rural and non-rural public health practice

Keywords: Rural Health, Research Agenda

Related Web page: www.upb.pitt.edu/crhp

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Pittsburgh Center for Rural Health Practice
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.

Recorded presentation