Engaging Agricultural and Rural Communities for Better Health
Program Overview:
Extension’s Engaging Agricultural and Rural Communities for Better Health program aims to address health disparities and inequities that agricultural and rural families face. Healthcare professionals will develop the skills and knowledge to provide culturally competent care to these populations.
Benefits:
- Enhance your understanding of the unique challenges faced by agricultural and rural families.
- Improve your ability to provide culturally competent care to rural individuals.
- Increase your confidence in addressing rural health disparities.
Why:
Rural populations and farm families often have limited access to healthcare and experience unique stressors such as weather, market fluctuations, and labor shortages. Extension’s Engaging Agricultural and Rural Communities for Better Health program teaches healthcare professionals about the unique challenges these families face and different ways to address them.
Who:
A training program for healthcare professionals, including:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Other clinical staff (PAs, MAs, CNAs, etc.)
What:
Six online modules to complete:
- Rural cultural competency
- Rural health and well-being
- Farm stress and mental health
- Agricultural economic stressors
- Agricultural safety issues
- Delivering clinical care and telehealth in rural areas
How:
Initial Overview
- Program introduction, including the objectives, structure, and importance of rural cultural competency
Pre-Test
- Assessment of participants’ current knowledge and understanding of rural and agricultural health issues.
Self-Paced Training
- Six online modules to be completed over 1 month
Post-Test and Survey
- Assessment of participants’ understanding after completing the modules
- Survey to offer feedback on the modules and their impacts on participants’ healthcare delivery
Publications
News
JACKSON, Miss. -- For five years, AIM for CHangE has turned federal dollars into park updates, playgrounds, food pantries, ride-sharing programs and community produce gardens for underserved areas in Mississippi.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Community improvement starts with a volunteer spirit and a desire to serve as a role model for positive change.
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. -- High school juniors can explore health and science careers and get a jump on college during the Rural Medical and Science Scholars program this summer at Mississippi State University. The June 10-29 program is now accepting applications until April 1.
Success Stories
In Rolling Fork, the Mississippi town in Sharkey County devastated by a twister on March 24, 2023, despair was not an option.
The StoryWalk and colorful word art now installed in downtown Belzoni are giving Rosemary Williams a new opportunity for the children she cares for at Rosemary’s Daycare and Learning Center.
Imagine what Mississippi might look like if everyone had access to healthy foods. The state could set an example for other rural states in using existing resources, collaborating with officials and stakeholders, and creating solutions that have measurable impacts for individuals and families.
