The health of Vermonters depends upon access to comprehensive health care services. The State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care works with and supports small rural hospitals, clinics and health care providers to improve access to primary care, dental and mental health care for all Vermonters – especially the uninsured, under-served and those living far from larger medical centers.
The State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care collaborates to:
- Improve quality, performance and sustainability of rural and critical access hospitals.
- Expand access to primary, dental and mental health services regardless of insurance coverage.
- Support recruitment and retention of primary care, oral health and mental health workforce.
- Support training for health care professionals, students and community health workers
- Collect, analyze and report healthcare workforce data and calculate shortage designations.
- Support outreach to farm owners and workers on how to access preventative care and best practices for agricultural health and safety.
We also connect local health care providers and decision-makers to state, regional and national resources, information and technical assistance.
Is my community "rural"?
Determine whether your specific location is considered "rural" based on various definitions of rural, including definitions that are used as eligibility criteria for federal programs. Am I Rural? Tool
Health Equity resources
Health equity exists when all people have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. Health equity is one of the goals of our Strategic Plan and a cornerstone of our work. Health care providers, organizations and communities have important roles to play to ensure equitable and just health outcomes and access to care for all Vermonters. To learn more about health equity, visit healthvermont.gov/Health Equity page.