Rural residents are requested to share health concerns

The health of Washington’s rural residents is an ongoing concern. To address these concerns, the Washington State Rural Health Association, established in 1981, organized to collaboratively strengthen and improve the health of rural communities. Their work helps to establish policies and activities towards resolving identified issues relating to health and health care services for rural residents. Currently, they are seeking input from rural residents throughout the state of Washington and selected Lincoln County to host a “Rural Health Roundtable” meeting. Other communities hosting these town hall meetings include Aberdeen and Grays Harbor.

“We are excited that Lincoln County has been selected as one of three locations for “town hall” meetings to get input from people in rural areas about health concerns,” said Ed Dzedzy, administrator of the Lincoln County Health Department. The session, called the Lincoln County Rural Health Roundtable, is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Davenport High School auditorium.

The Washington Rural Health Association wants to know what people in rural areas think about health in their communities and is sponsoring these sessions. “Questions about health care reform are on the minds of our communities. The more public awareness about what health policy means for local families and neighbors the better”, said Tom Martin, administrator at Lincoln Hospital. Starting at 6 p.m., light refreshments will be provided and residents of Davenport, Reardan, Wilbur, Odessa, Harrington, Creston, Edwall, Almira and other surrounding communities are invited to participate.

The facilitator, Sue Deitz, director of the eastern Washington Critical Access Hospital Network, will lead the discussion and comments from participants will be documented and provided to the Washington Rural Health Association. These sessions allow local people an opportunity to share what matters to them and what they think should be emphasized when it comes to health in rural areas.

Rural health has some unique characteristics related to the delivery of health-care services because there are often limited providers, transportation is often a key issue and many of the people living in rural areas work for small employers who are not able to provide health insurance.

“Living in a rural area in Lincoln County provides many great opportunities when it comes to families and having good relationships, but we are often challenged to receive all health services within our own county, and many travel to Spokane for care. We are very fortunate to have a local hospital and physicians who provide great services,” said Jennifer Larmer, Chief of Patient Access & Service Integration Officer and Care Coordination at Lincoln Hospital and North Basin Medical Clinics. For more information please contact Ed Dzedzy, administrator of Lincoln County Health Department 509-725-2501.