The ETSU/NORC Rural Health Equity Research Center’s mission is to conduct robust rural health services research that informs strategies and recommendations for policy makers, rural health care providers, and rural communities to improve health and well-being by improving access to health care and behavioral health services and advancing health equity.
Research staff contribute to policy solutions that are responsive to challenges rural communities face in accessing health care and behavioral health services, including workforce shortages, lack of transportation and broadband access, long wait times for appointments, payment and reimbursement challenges, limited specialty services, under-resourced public health infrastructure, and limited rural-focused research to understand rural population health needs. Underpinning all the center's work is the recognition of strengths and assets within rural communities, and strategies focused on leveraging community strengths to address rural health challenges. The ETSU/NORC Rural Health Equity Research Center builds on a history of successful collaboration between the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Center for Rural Health and Research and the NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis. This partnership bridges NORC's long history of rural health research and evaluation and ETSU's commitment to honor its rural heritage through research, education, and service.
