185771 Clinical Preventive Services in Rural Settings: The Role of Government in Promoting More Effective Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Practices

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Ryung Suh, MD MPH MPP MBA , Department of Health Systems Administration, SNHS, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Kara Hawthorne, MSW , Office of Rural Health, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC
Brent R. Gibson, MD, MPH , Department of Health Systems Administration, SNHS, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Jaspal Ahluwalia, MD, MPH , Department of Health Systems Administration, SNHS, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Sarah Johnson , Department of Health Systems Administration, SNHS, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Richard Hartman, PhD , Office of the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Policy and Planning, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC
A study by the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis concluded that rural populations are less likely to receive clinical preventive health services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The VA's Office of Rural Health has a mission to improve access to quality health care services for rural veterans and has a strong strategic emphasis on prevention policy and practice. This session outlines the programs, policies, and initiatives that the VA's Office of Rural Health is engaged in with respect to preventive health services; explores the impacts on quality of care and utilization rates for clinical preventive health services among rural veterans; and discusses the likely impacts on rural communities and public policy.

Learning Objectives:
Review the role of the VA's Office of Rural Health in promoting more effective prevention policy and practice in rural communities Discuss utilization rates for clinical preventive health services among rural veterans Outline ongoing demonstration projects that promote health promotion and disease prevention among veterans in rural settings

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I reviewed and participated in planning and research activities, to include a literature review, structured interviews, internal VA review, and environmental scan for the VA Office of Rural Health, as well as contributed to the Office of Rural Health strategic plan.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.