Rural Public Health Landscape: Funding, Personnel, Expertise, Community Resources, and Barriers in Rural Settings

ObjectivesTo describe and understand the funding, personnel, expertise, community resources, and issues in rural settings by local public health departments post COVID-19. MethodsRural county health departments in ten states were sent a survey via web link in the Spring of 2021. 552 responses were collected with a 63% completion rate for all counties surveyed. ResultsMost counties utilized public health nurses, administrators, or community health professionals. Of these, 25% had formal education in public health and 10% had public health experience. 65% of respondents disagreed with having adequate funding, staff, and resources. 83% of counties reported working with nonprofits and 43% utilized volunteers. The top two issues in rural public health identified were mental health and substance use. ConclusionsRural county public health departments do not have the support needed to sustain or advance public health in their specific population. Policy implicationsThis report gives insight into the needs of rural health in 2021 that can be used to guide policy and funding to support rural healths specific needs.