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The updated Maryland Rural Health Plan is the result of a comprehensive examination of the rural health care needs of Maryland. This updated plan was made possible by a collaboration between the Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA); the Maryland State Office of Rural Health; the Rural Maryland Council; and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The Maryland State Office of Rural Health reports that 25% of Marylanders live in rural communities. Rural residents may face structural, economical, and physical barriers to health care, while rural healthcare providers seek strategies and opportunities to increase access and services available to their communities.
The Maryland Rural Health Plan examined existing county health plans, Community Health Needs Assessments, State Health Improvement Process (SHIP) data, results from a state-appointed study on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and feedback from citizens and healthcare professionals in each of Maryland’s rural counties to understand the state of rural health. Data was triangulated by topic. Themes found in multiple data sources emerged as key priorities. Findings were collated for the state, with county profiles highlighting their specific results. Preliminary findings were reviewed by the MRHA Board of Directors.
