Liz Urbanski-Farrell has devoted her career to enhancing health outcomes for rural residents, not only in the US but worldwide. As the new executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, she brought attention to the fact that 44 of New York’s 63 counties are at least partially rural, accounting for 85% of the state’s land area, particularly in upstate regions.
In rural areas, accessing healthcare is a significant challenge for many residents. The distance to healthcare facilities often necessitates individuals to take time off work and incur travel expenses to receive care. While telehealth has provided some solutions, it can be more costly due to infrastructure and privacy requirements. Moreover, traditional health services in New York have not seen increased funding in recent years, making it difficult to meet the growing healthcare needs of rural communities.
Urbanski-Farrell highlighted the importance of increased support from the state Legislature and Congress to address the funding gaps in rural healthcare. By investing in rural healthcare now, she believes that it will ultimately lead to cost savings in the long run. Improving access to quality healthcare in rural areas remains a critical issue that requires attention and support at both the state and federal levels.