STATE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH - The Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health (MA SORH), located within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, seeks continued support to strengthen rural health systems, improve access to services, and support the health and well-being of rural communities across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts has 160 rural municipalities, representing 57% of the state’s land mass and approximately 700,000 residents. Rural communities experience persistent barriers to health and social services, including geographic isolation, limited public transportation, fewer local health care access points, workforce shortages, higher rates of chronic disease, behavioral health and substance use needs, aging populations, and economic challenges. Rural hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations, and local partners often operate with limited staffing and resources while serving residents who face longer travel times, fewer specialty care options, and fewer local supports. MA SORH will address these needs through three core service areas: collecting and disseminating rural health information, coordinating rural health activities, and providing technical assistance to public and nonprofit partners. MA SORH will share timely information about federal and state funding opportunities, rural health research, policy updates, training opportunities, best practices, and emerging health issues through newsletters, targeted communications, webinars, partner networks, websites, and direct outreach. The office will also respond to information requests and provide data support to help rural partners, policymakers, and health care organizations understand rural needs, and make informed decisions about programs, policies, and investments. MA SORH will coordinate rural health activities by convening and participating in local, regional, statewide, and national partnerships. This includes supporting the Massachusetts Rural Council on Health, the New England Rural Health Association, national rural partner organizations, rural community coalitions, learning collaboratives, workforce partnerships, and state agency workgroups. These activities will help reduce duplication, strengthen rural networks, elevate rural priorities, and create opportunities for rural leaders and organizations to inform policy and program development. MA SORH will provide technical assistance to rural hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, community-based organizations, municipalities, coalitions, public agencies, and nonprofit partners. Technical assistance will support access to federal, state, and private funding; rural health program planning; data use; community needs assessment; workforce recruitment and retention; development of rural safety net access points; and community-led strategies to address health-related social needs. MA SORH will also support rural partners in exploring flexible care models, including mobile services, non-traditional access points, and locally designed approaches that respond to the realities of rural Massachusetts. The population served includes rural residents across Massachusetts, with particular attention to communities facing limited access to care, older adults, residents with chronic disease or behavioral health needs, people experiencing transportation and economic barriers, and rural populations served by under-resourced health care and community-based organizations. Through sustained partnerships, technical assistance, data support, and coordinated communication, MA SORH will help rural communities access the resources, relationships, and information needed to improve health outcomes and strengthen rural health systems.
