Primary Care and Rural Health Programs

Overview

The Primary Care and Rural Health programs promote increased access to quality health care for rural and underserved Ohioans.  Primary Care and Rural Health programs’ staff administer a variety of grant programs and activities designed to help develop, maintain and strengthen quality health care and to reduce health disparities.

Activities Include 

• Providing technical assistance, information and training opportunities to health care professionals working in rural and underserved areas of the state through resources, meetings and conferences.
• Coordinating federal, state and local efforts focusing on access to health care in rural and underserved areas.
• Assisting with recruitment and retention of health care professionals in medically underserved areas.
• Providing resources and technical assistance to rural communities working to reduce health disparities.
• Encouraging collaborations and partnerships among health care providers and other organizations in order to strengthen systems of care.
• Preparing and submitting federal Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) applications.
• Administering a program that allows access to primary care and pulmonary rehabilitation services for coal miners and others living with lung disease.

The Primary Care and Rural Health programs are located within the Bureau of Community Health Services and Systems Development, in the Division of Family and Community Health Services at the Ohio Department of Health. 

Mailing Address:

Ohio Department of Health

Primary Care and Rural Health Programs

246 North High Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: (614) 644-8508

Fax: (614) 995-4235

E-mail: bchssd@odh.ohio.gov