Rural communities in Vermont and northern New York experience several health challenges that are often prevalent in rural areas across the country. As the population ages, many individuals are facing an increase in chronic diseases and dealing with unmet mental health needs. It's worth noting that over three-quarters of Americans residing in rural towns encounter difficulties in accessing sufficient health care services, which has an impact on their overall longevity compared to those living in urban areas.

At the Department of Emergency Medicine, we're improving emergency care in rural health settings and training the next generation of EM practitioners to serve those who live in non-urban areas.