Health literacy and small village health systems are interrelated. This article explores the connections between health literacy and rural health systems and how to improve these links to expand access to quality primary care. It also explains the role of social determinants of health and the benefits of multi-sectoral approaches to improve health outcomes. This article is part of a series that focuses on health literacy in rural communities.
Rural communities have unique challenges and strengths that make them ideal for multi-sectoral approaches. The community's social network and infrastructure are critical to achieving meaningful change in rural areas. This analysis of rural communities revealed three major inhibitors to improving healthcare access. To address these challenges, multi-sector approaches must take these factors into account. The following table provides examples of sectors and their representation within rural communities. In the year 2015, 69 of the world's top economic entities were multinational companies. Therefore, multi-sector approaches are more evident than ever. Moreover, these initiatives are linked to economic stability and job creation, two critical aspects of human health. Multi-sector partnerships can also help address the root causes of poor health, which are often overlooked. By fostering partnerships and collaboration between governments and the private sector, multi-sectoral health services can improve the quality of life in the most remote communities. Developing partnerships between various sectors is essential in rural settings. Several organizations have expressed strong interest in improving population health, but they have not been able to establish long-lasting partnerships. Challenges to cross-sector collaborations include cultural and institutional differences, limited financial resources, and geographical dispersion of communities. In rural settings, such partnerships should be based on shared leadership and decision-making and should be based on a mutually agreed-upon set of values. The social determinants of health in small communities are often neglected and overlooked, yet their impact on community health is significant. Poor access to hygienic housing and basic medicines are just two examples of health issues that are often exacerbated by poverty. Limited access to grocery stores and pharmacies also limits residents' access to fresh produce. Social factors that contribute to poor health are often complex and require detective work to identify and address them. To improve health outcomes, initiatives targeting the social determinants of health are a good way to involve community organizations and agencies. These partnerships are also more likely to affect health outcomes by addressing the causes of health inequity. For example, a community-based health initiative addressing income inequality and poverty can benefit residents' health as well as the health of their families. By working with the entire community, these initiatives are likely to result in lasting positive change in the health of the community. Primary care is a basic foundational service that rural communities should be able to sustain and afford. Not every rural community can support all of these services, but other services, such as mental health, oral health, emergency/emergency care, pharmacy, public health, and education should be reasonably accessible through multiple delivery methods. Here are some key strategies to make primary care more accessible in rural areas. Read on to learn more about these important strategies. Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are geographic areas or populations where there is a shortage of primary care providers. Often these areas are isolated and face cultural and economic barriers to receiving the health care they need. These shortages may have an impact on a patient's health, but they are often the most important services for the community. The PCDC invests in primary care projects to help them meet their goals. There are many promising models and resources available to help rural communities to combat the social determinants of health. The Rural Community Health Toolkit compiles information on rural community health programs and how to develop and implement them. It also contains examples of promising strategies for addressing social determinants of health in rural communities. And for those interested in developing rural health programs, it's important to note that social determinants of health are often overlooked in the development of rural community health programs. Expanding the scope of practice of non-physician practitioners can improve access to primary care services. This can also reduce costs, though more research is needed to determine the cost-benefit ratios of rural and small-town primary care practitioners. States will also need to develop better methods of measuring the impact of the expanded scope of practice. Further, a new model of primary care could include a network of non-physician practitioners.
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