AJR210

A Joint Resolution designating the third Thursday of November as “Rural Health Day.”

Whereas, More than 57 million Americans and over 720,000 New Jersey residents live in rural areas; and

Whereas, Rural areas face unique characteristics that put residents at increased risk of heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, and cancer; and

Whereas, Rural residents have reduced access to healthcare, have higher rates of poverty, and are generally older compared to suburban or urban populations; and

Whereas, Over 450 rural hospitals nationwide are vulnerable to closure; and

Whereas, Sixty-one percent of “Primary Health Care Shortage Areas” were located in rural areas in 2021; and

Whereas, The average distance to a hospital for rural Americans is 23.9 miles and only 12 percent of physicians practice in rural areas; and

Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these barriers to care and disparities between rural and urban healthcare; and

Whereas, Over 7.9 million rural Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and December 2021; and

Whereas, Rural areas have a lower COVID-19 vaccination rate than urban areas and cumulative COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people in rural areas more than doubled those in urban areas; and

Whereas, Rural healthcare services play a significant role in delivering timely, effective, and lifesaving care; and

Whereas, Rural hospitals are frequently the economic engines in the areas they serve; and

Whereas, Many rural hospitals are insufficiently equipped to offer the broad array of services to the extent of their urban counterparts; and

Whereas, Highlighting ways rural communities can address geographical healthcare challenges and expand access to healthcare services can save a significant number of lives; and

Whereas, New Jersey’s rural healthcare professionals are dedicated to the provision of high-quality, community-based care; and

Whereas, It is necessary to honor, support, and strengthen the efforts of rural healthcare providers, organizations, hospital staff, and cooperatives; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The third Thursday of November is designated as “Rural Health Day” in New Jersey in order to celebrate the dedicated individuals and organizations providing healthcare services to our rural communities.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation annually recognizing the third Thursday of November as “Rural Health Day” in New Jersey and calling upon the public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates the third Thursday in November as “Rural Health Day” in New Jersey in order to celebrate the dedicated individuals and organizations providing healthcare services to our rural communities.

More than 57 million Americans and over 720,000 New Jersey residents live in rural areas and face unique barriers to healthcare that place residents in rural areas at an increased risk of heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, and cancer—including longer average distances to hospitals, rural hospital closures, and reduced access to healthcare as only 12 percent of physicians practice in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these barriers to healthcare for rural Americans. Over 7.9 million rural Americans were diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 2020 and December 2021. Rural residents have a lower COVID-19 vaccination rate and cumulative COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people in rural areas doubled those in urban areas.

In New Jersey, rural healthcare plays a vital role in delivering timely, effective, and lifesaving care, provides an opportunity to identify the unique needs of local communities, and is frequently an economic engine for municipalities. As such, it is important to highlight ways rural communities can address geographical healthcare challenges and expand access to healthcare services. Accordingly, it is altogether fitting and proper to honor, support, and strengthen the efforts of rural healthcare providers and organizations by designating the third Thursday of November as “Rural Health Day” in New Jersey.