The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted disparities in medical readiness between urban and rural communities. Rural communities often faced daunting challenges during the pandemic due to fewer resources and less manpower. As a result, health outcomes for COVID-19 patients in rural communities tended to be worse than their urban counterparts. Improving workforce training, medical resources, disease prevention, general wellness, and healthcare access in rural communities is necessary to bolster national security and pandemic preparedness.
This session will dive into the unique health needs of rural communities in the United States and how the Federal Government can aid these communities to be better prepared for a future pandemic.
