Health care in rural areas has its advantages

When you look at the statistics, it would appear that the rural area is not a very healthy place to live. There are more traumatic injuries in the rural area as compared to the urban area. This is due to the heavy equipment and more driving required in the rural area. Twenty percent of our population lives in the rural area, but only 10 percent of our doctors reside there. In addition, there are a lower percentage of rural residents who have health insurance, as more of them are self-employed.

On the other hand, there is no noted different percentage wise as the occurrence of cancer, diabetes or heart disease between the rural or urban resident.

There is a growing list of other factors that give rural health care a positive edge. A so-called “tight community” is the leading factor. In the rural area, many of the residents know each other. There may be fewer doctors or nurses, but they see each other often and in all locations of the community. When medical help is needed, there is also that “I know you” touch of service. There may be farther ambulance runs, but the volunteers making those runs more than likely know personally the individual they are ministering to. This closeness goes a long way in tipping the health care scale to the positive side.

The shortage of doctors is in a way compensated for with “telehealth.” Telehealth has been around since 1960. It allows a doctor many miles away to diagnose and treat a patient. This was developed for use with our astronauts but finds great use for our farmers and ranchers here on earth.

Yes, health care in the rural area would appear to be less available than in an urban area, but a closer study shows that this may not be as bleak as some seem to think. Many in the rural area often tell a different story; one of great praise and satisfaction with their health care services. For this we can say, “Thank God.”

Father Samuel Heitkamp is pastor of St. Joan of Arc Church in Kirby and was the director of the former rural life organization in the archdiocese.