Rural Project Examples Addressing Populations - Rural Health Information Hub

Updated/reviewed March 2026

Need: Because early identification can impact the health and well-being outcomes of those with memory conditions, Florida's rural populations would benefit from access to screening followed by specialty referral for Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia types.
Intervention: A state university used a state health department grant to develop a cognitive impairment screening program in rural Florida areas that was administered by Community Health Workers. An additional grant provided rural primary care clinicians with a free online continuing education module covering cognitive impairment and dementia.
Results: At project completion, Community Health Workers had engaged nearly 600 participants to participate in health screenings and cognitive assessments, making about 1,300 referrals to community social and medical services.

Added March 2026

Need: To help North Dakotans with health challenges bridge financial gaps to promote independence and improve quality of life.
Intervention: North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD) offers direct financial assistance, prescription medications, home modification, vehicle accessibility, and other resources to reduce out-of-pocket costs for essential medical needs.
Results: In 2025, NDAD loaned 6,005 pieces of healthcare equipment to 3,141 people for a savings of $576,634 and awarded $250,742 in funding to 30 organizations to assist individuals with disabilities or at-risk individuals.

Updated/reviewed March 2026

Need: More emergency medical service professionals in rural northwestern Wisconsin.
Intervention: In 2015, a collaborative effort of a State Office of Rural Health and a regional non-profit job training agency created a pipeline program offering 6-8th grade girls participation in a summer camp that provided an experiential setting demonstrating emergency medical services career opportunities.
Results: With a 10-year record of success and community support, in 2026, the program continues into its next decade with 20 participants per year.

Updated/reviewed January 2026

Need: To reduce the number of overdoses and overdose-related deaths from opioids in rural Pennsylvania.
Intervention: ARMOT provides 1) case management and recovery support services to individuals with substance use disorders and 2) education and support to rural hospital staff, patients, and their loved ones.
Results: Since 2015, ARMOT has received over 2,956 referrals.

Updated/reviewed January 2026

Need: In 2006, Pennsylvania agricultural producers and farmworker population needed guidance for Environmental Protection Agency agricultural pesticide safety compliance.
Intervention: In collaboration with Pennsylvania State University agriculture and pesticide experts, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health developed a comprehensive education and technical assistance outreach program with materials — including videos — to provide updated compliance information in a language- and custom-appropriate format.
Results: Continuing today with funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the program is delivered by a Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Specialist who provides the following: WPS technical and compliance assistance to nearly 2,000 farms, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards and other agricultural production sites and conference and event presentations and exhibits reaching thousands.

Updated/reviewed January 2026

Need: To connect isolated older adults and family caregivers in rural Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to services and supports so they can age in place.
Intervention: The Rural Aging Action Network is a national collaborative of organizations that mobilize whole communities to address gaps in care for rural older adults and family caregivers.
Results: Since 2022, the collaborative has reached over 1,000 older adults and over 200 family caregivers living in rural communities.

Updated/reviewed December 2025

Need: Impact healthcare workforce shortages in rural Wisconsin.
Intervention: The Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative, leveraging evidence-informed grow-your-own pipeline activities to generate interest in health-related professions, partnered with the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health to create the Club Scrub program for 7th and 8th graders.
Results: The original 2006-2007 program results revealed that participants gained a better understanding of career options in the healthcare industry and annual Club Scrub events continue to be sponsored by several Wisconsin rural healthcare delivery systems.

Updated/reviewed November 2025

Need: To improve veterans' access to healthcare in rural Michigan.
Intervention: I-REACH connects veterans to healthcare services and other programs and helps healthcare facilities and providers become more veteran-friendly.
Results: The program has received positive feedback from Veteran Service Officers in counties where there were outreach events.

Updated/reviewed November 2025

Need: Suicide rates among men age 65 and older have been rising in North Carolina. Challenges include losing friends, illnesses, and the loss of independence – all of which can lead to isolation and depression.
Intervention: Chatham County Aging Services of North Carolina started the Men's Conversation Group to connect retired men in need of male friends and mutual support.
Results: Men in similar stages of life and varying backgrounds are forming friendships, engaging in activities, and taking care of their mental health.

Updated/reviewed November 2025

Need: To support pregnant and parenting women with a history of substance use, mental health, or co-occurring disorders in rural areas of Montana.
Intervention: One Health, a consortium of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), developed a team of "recovery doulas" – individuals who are dual-certified as doulas and peer-support specialists. The One Health recovery doula program offers group and individual services to women and their partners from pregnancy through the first years of parenthood.
Results: A team of four recovery doulas (or doulas-in-training) employed by One Health offer services in 8 rural eastern Montana counties. One Health has also successfully trained and certified 35 Peer Recovery Doulas statewide through their Peer Recovery Doula certification curriculum.

Rural Project Examples: Populations