Why states need to develop rural health outreach programs
Disparities in rural health care have been well established with respect to socioeconomic status, race, and geography. COVID-19 brought these disparities to the surface within most rural communities in the United States, highlighting the limited access to health care specialists and subspecialists.
As an otolaryngologist, I have had the privilege and unique opportunity of serving two different communities: Chicago’s city dwellers and residents of rural central Illinois. This past year, I have seen that the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the already existing disparities between these two places, as it has across the nation.