National Rural Health Day

The North Carolina Office of Rural Health is proud to join communities across America in celebration of National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on November 21, 2024.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and rural-focused organizations across the United States set aside the third Thursday of November to recognize NRHD. This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

According to NC Office of State Budget and Management, North Carolina's rural population is the second largest in the country, reflecting nearly one in three people in the state. Additionally, The NC Rural Center notes that North Carolina is in the middle of a “Rural Resurgence.” NC OSBM certified 2023 population estimates show a 2.7 percent increase in rural residency.

“Hurricane Helene was a powerful reminder of nature's might, but it also revealed the unbreakable spirit of our people,” said Governor Cooper. “In the face of adversity, we have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers stepping up and our first responders risking their lives to ensure our safety. This year more than ever we have seen the importance of communication, collaboration, and innovation in rural communities. Maggie Sauer, Director of the NC Office of Rural Health, echoed these sentiments for National Rural Health Day, “Our health providers and staff live and work in the communities they serve. Standing as trusted sources of information, especially at a time when accurate information can be hard to find. The work of our Office has never been more critical.”

Community members and stakeholders are invited to participate in the following NRHD activity to help the NC Office of Rural Health celebrate the "Power of Rural."

National Rural Health Day
Theme: Homegrown Connections
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Scotland Health Care System, 500 Launchwood Drive, Laurinburg, North Carolina

As part of NRHD, this event is an opportunity to celebrate the “Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded spirit that prevails in rural North Carolina. The event, which is being hosted in-person and livestreamed from Scotland Health Care System in Laurinburg, will showcase the efforts of rural healthcare providers, the State Office of Rural Health, and other rural stakeholders to address the unique healthcare challenges that rural North Carolinians face today and into the future.

North Carolina has long been a leader in rural healthcare, with a proud history of innovation and commitment to the well-being of its rural communities. As the home of the nation’s first Office of Rural Health, North Carolina continues to set the standard for supporting and advancing healthcare in rural areas.

William Massengill Jr., North Carolina’s Community Star, will speak, and Thomas Ricketts, PhD, will provide the keynote address. Dr. Ricketts is a Senior Policy Fellow in the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, an Adjunct Professor of Health Policy and Management and Social Medicine at the UNC-Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine, and Professeur Associé of the École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique of Paris and Rennes, France.

Scotland Health Care System will share its efforts around the Social Drivers of Health and Community Outreach, including its Community Health Worker and Community Paramedic efforts, as well as resources like NCCARE360. Additionally, Care Share Health Alliance and The North Carolina Community Health Center Association will present a session on Medicaid Expansion resources.

The event is sponsored by Scotland Health Care System, The NC Office of Rural Health, The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, and The North Carolina Rural Health Association.

Space for 100 and a second room for 50 more attendees will be provided at Scotland Health Care System, and folks around NC are invited to participate virtually via Microsoft Teams. Virtual attendees will be emailed a toolkit on hosting an event at their location to tie in with the “Homegrown Connections” theme.

Additional information about National Rural Health Day, including resources and tools, can be found at PowerofRural.org. To learn more about NC Office of Rural Health, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/orh