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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health Disparities – Organizations

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Lead federal agency focused on improving the safety and quality of the nation's healthcare system. Invests in research to understand how to make healthcare safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. Develops resources, tools, and data to help healthcare professionals, policymakers, and consumers make informed health decisions.
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American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
Supports family medicine physicians. Works to improve the health of patients, families, and communities. Advocates for the patient-centered medical home model, promotes education for physicians and residents, and provides leadership in health promotion.
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American Public Health Association (APHA)
Works to improve and promote the health of the public and achieve equality in health status. Influences policy, sets public health priorities, advances prevention, and promotes wellness.
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American Public Health Association Rural and Frontier Health Committee
Committee of APHA's Medical Care Section focused on the health challenges and needs of people living in rural and frontier areas. For information, contact Barbara Levin at BarbL11@aol.com or Cody Mullen at cmullen@indianarha.org.
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Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
Influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders living in the U.S. and its jurisdictions.
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Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU)
A transdisciplinary organization of clinicians, advocates, and healthcare organizations that provide healthcare for the underserved. Provides professional education, clinical tools, advocacy, patient education, training, and technical assistance.
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CDC's Office of Minority Health (OMHHE)
Addresses social determinants of health that impact the well-being of people in racial and ethnic communities. Works to reduce and eliminate health disparities and advance health equity.
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Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities (CAHE-RUC)
Studies and addresses health disparities in rural and underserved communities through an academic-community partnership between Penn State College of Medicine and Asian Health Coalition (AHC). Features initiatives focused on cancer screening and prevention, chronic and infectious disease, mental and behavioral health, and precision medicine engagement.
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HRSA Office of Women's Health (OWH)
Coordinates women's health-related activities and education across Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) programs. Supports programs that provide healthcare services to geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable women and girls.
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Indian Health Service (IHS)
Provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Works to positively affect the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Administers scholarship and loan repayment programs for American Indian and Alaska Native health professionals. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
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National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
Works to improve the delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare in rural underserved areas through the Rural Health Clinics (RHC) Program.
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National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Promotes minority health and works to lead, coordinate, support, and assess the National Institutes of Health (NIH) efforts to reduce and eliminate health disparities. Conducts and supports basic, clinical, social, and behavioral research. Offers research infrastructure and training, and fosters emerging programs, information dissemination, and partnering with minority and other health disparity communities.
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National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH)
Promotes the capacity of State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) to improve healthcare in the rural U.S. Provides opportunities for leadership development, advocacy, education, and partnerships.
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National REACH Coalition (NRC)
Serves as a network of community-based organizations focused on eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health by promoting equal access to healthcare and healthcare resources. Provides technical assistance and other resources for members working to address health disparities.
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National Rural Health Association (NRHA)
Promotes leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education, and research. Consists of individual and organizational members who share a common interest in rural health.
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NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD)
Collaborates with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop and promote basic, clinical, translational, and population-based research regarding cancer health disparities. Informs program direction and scientific policy to strengthen cancer health equity research, diversity training, women's health, and sexual and gender minority opportunities.
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Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention (RCAP)
Promotes HIV/STD prevention in rural America and works to reduce HIV/STDs in rural areas. Provides resources, educational materials, and approaches to rural HIV/STD prevention.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH)
Serves to improve and protect the health of racial and ethnic minority populations. Develops health policies and programs to reduce health disparities and support quality healthcare.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health (OWH)
Coordinates programs and activities to promote and improve women's health in the U.S. to eliminate disparities in health status. Supports educational programs that encourage women to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness.
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Last Reviewed: 11/28/2022