National Rural Health Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Rural Health Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Rural Health Day is celebrated on November 17th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Rural Health Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you ought to know about National Rural Health Day.

📅 What day is National Rural Health Day 2024?

In 2024, National Rural Health Day is on Friday, November 17th. It is the 3rd Friday in November; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the cool details and facts about November 17, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

More than 60 million Americans reside and work in beautiful rural areas. However, their lives can become challenging when they face illness or pregnancy, as they have to travel longer distances to access medical care or find a hospital if their local one is closed due to financial issues. National Rural Health Day, which falls on the third Thursday of November annually, serves as a reminder to focus on the state of healthcare in rural areas. This day allows us to pay tribute to the dedicated doctors, nurses, and community leaders who tirelessly work to preserve the spirit of small-town America.

📜 National Rural Health Day History

✅ National Rural Health Day Facts

🔖 ​Children are suffering
Approximately one-fourth of children living in rural areas are impacted by poverty.

🔖 ​There aren’t enough hospitals
In the past 25 years, more than 470 rural hospitals have shut down due to insufficient funding.

🔖 ​There aren’t enough doctors
Even though around a quarter of the US population resides in non-urban areas, only a small fraction of doctors, about 10%, choose to practice in rural regions.

👍 Why Is National Rural Health Day Important

City people frequently forget that there is a whole other world outside of metropolitan areas. National Rural Health Day is a chance for everyone to recognize the unsung heroes of rural areas: the hospitals, health care professionals, and other providers that keep rural towns afloat in the face of shrinking resources, population loss, and the horrors of the opioid crisis.

A conflict is unfolding outside the picture-postcard splendor of many rural villages. Hospitals are being forced to close due to a lack of reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for services performed, particularly amid the present opioid crisis. The few remaining hospitals are having difficulty educating and keeping qualified surgeons and physicians. Many doctors “age out” or transfer from general surgical treatment to specialized care, which means returning to places that can afford the high salary required for that level of competent surgical knowledge.

National Rural Health Day emphasizes the impact of poverty on rural healthcare systems. The average income for rural residents is around 25% less than that of metropolitan Americans. Because of the rising opioid problem as well as the closure of manufacturing, farming, mining, and other enterprises, younger people are either leaving the region or developing mental health concerns. Rural communities of color are frequently located in “food deserts,” which are places devoid of businesses selling fresh vegetables or other perishables, contributing to high rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

🙂 How To Observe National Rural Health Day

⚡ Write a letter to the editor or post a note online

⚡ Plan a group run, bicycle ride, or hit the trail
Take action to bring joy into your life. If you live outside the city, gather some friends and go hiking or off-roading, or simply go for a peaceful walk. Remember, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle is crucial on this day.

⚡ Thank your healthcare providers
National Rural Health Day emphasizes advocacy. If you write anything significant or innovative, it has the potential to go viral. Then you’re reaching an even larger audience than you anticipated. Get your voice heard and let everyone know that rural areas, too, require love.

📅 When is National Rural Health Day?

You can view all 🔗 November holidays, including 🔗 Health and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about National Rural Health Day. So be sure to check back soon.