The goal of the Ohio SORH is to help strengthen rural health care delivery systems by creating a focal point for coordinating rural health initiatives statewide.  Since its inception in 1991, the Ohio SORH has worked to improve rural health care delivery systems through programs and activities related to its five essential functions. 

The first annual National Rural Health Day was held on Nov. 17, 2011 as a way to showcase rural America, increase awareness of rural health-related issues and promote efforts to address these issues. Plans call for Rural Health Day to become an annual celebration held on the third Thursday of November.

Functions

The five essential functions of the SORH are to serve rural populations in Ohio by:

• Collecting and disseminating rural health information
• Coordinating resources and activities statewide
• Providing technical assistance to meet rural community health needs
• Encouraging recruitment and retention of health professionals in rural areas
• Strengthening state and federal partnerships

The SORH has leveraged several significant partnerships locally, statewide and nationally in its efforts to improve rural health care delivery systems.  SORH staff plan and implement various workshops, conferences and meetings, and also work to provide resources and technical assistance to rural communities working to enhance existing systems of care.

Activities and Programs

• Quarterly newsletter - A quarterly newsletter is e-mailed to rural health stakeholders via the rural health listserv.  This newsletter contains information on state and national news, upcoming events and opportunities related to rural health. Announcements of funding opportunities and other resources are also periodically distributed via the listserv. To sign-up, please send a request stating that you would like to be added to the rural health listserv to BCHS@odh.ohio.gov.
  
• Annual Rural Health Conference  – A statewide Rural Health Conference is held each year in Ohio on a topic of rural importance. The 2011 Rural Health Conference, Coming Together: Uniting for a Healthier Ohio, was held in partnership with the Ohio Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) Health Educators’ Institute during October.
  
• Ohio Rural Health Webinars -- Quarterly webinars held by the SORH explore various topics, such as innovative rural health delivery models and health care access barriers and solutions.
  
• Rural Health Clinic expansion project - This project aims to both inform communities of the benefits of Rural Health Clinics and to look at other possible collaborative efforts that could increase access in rural Ohio.

Mailing Address:          
Ohio Department of Health
State Office of Rural Health
Primary Care and Rural Health
246 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Telephone: (614) 995-5556
Fax: (614) 564-2432

E-mail: BCHS@odh.ohio.gov

Last Updated: 1/11/12

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