Population Health in Rural
Health promotion and disease prevention interventions may focus on improving population health. Population health is defined by Kindig and Stoddart (2003) as:
“the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group.”
In rural communities, population health approaches should involve:
- Identifying the social determinants of health in the community
- Engaging the community
- Strengthening partnerships and collaboration
- Identifying strengths, assets, challenges, and barriers
- Coordinating and ensuring access to healthcare services through care coordination strategies, networks and coalitions, integrated services, and transportation
Resources to Learn More
Pathways to
Population Health
Website
Defines key concepts related to population health and provides links to tools to support organizations in
achieving community health improvements.
Organization(s): American Hospital Association/Health Research and Educational Trust,
Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement, Public Health Institute,
and Stakeholder Health