DECATUR — Decatur Medi Clinic will join the Arkansas Department of Health, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and other state and national rural stakeholders in celebrating the second annual National Rural Health Day on Nov. 15.

Approximately one million Arkansans - or about 40 percent - live in rural (non-metropolitan) areas in Arkansas.

Bill Rodgers, director of the Arkansas Office of Rural Health and Primary Care at ADH, says this is a critical time for rural health care in Arkansas.

“Obstacles faced by health care providers and patients living in rural areas are very different and much more challenging to overcome than those in urban areas,” Rodgers said. “Twenty-two out of 75 Arkansas counties have no hospital. Currently proposed federal deficit reduction plans will have a major impact on rural providers. National Rural Health Day is a time to celebrate our citizens living in rural areas while at the same time initiating discussions regarding the future of health care in rural Arkansas.”

NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America;increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues.

Decatur Medi Clinic is planning to mark the occasion by offering free blood pressure checks, weight/ height/BMI checks and free samples of healthy diets.

News, Pages 14 on 11/07/2012