In recognition of National Rural Health Day, New York State highlighted a series of initiatives designed to improve health care for rural populations, who often face significant barriers to accessing essential services. Efforts by the state Department of Health, Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Supports and Services (OASAS) aim to strengthen both physical and behavioral health care, and address challenges unique to rural communities.

About 3.4 million New Yorkers live in rural areas, which comprise 43,000 square miles of the state. These communities face challenges such as supply shortages, aging populations and limited transportation. To meet these needs, government agencies have launched or expanded programs to increase access to care, improve infrastructure, and enhance workforce development.

Invest in healthcare facilities and workforce

The Department of Health awarded $4.7 million in training capacity grants to strengthen the rural health workforce, supporting the training of nurses, physician assistants and other professionals in underserved areas. Additional funding was provided through the Doctors Across New York and Nurses Across New York loan repayment programs, which offer financial incentives to rural healthcare professionals.

Infrastructure improvements included grants to 44 rural hospitals for the purchase of equipment, renovation of facilities and recruitment of providers. The state also supported 31 rural health networks to address issues such as chronic disease management, food insecurity and suicide prevention.

Improve mental health care

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s historic $1 billion investment in the state’s mental health system paved the way for new resources in rural areas. This year, OMH tripled the number of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, awarding funding to six upstate providers serving areas such as Yates, Jefferson and Niagara counties. These clinics provide comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment, regardless of the individual’s ability to pay.

OMH also launched Safe Options Support teams in rural areas, connected homeless individuals to housing and support services, and invested in new Assertive Community Treatment teams to provide critical care to individuals with serious mental illness. Suicide prevention efforts were expanded, focusing on agricultural and indigenous communities in rural western New York.

Addressing substance abuse in underserved areas

OASAS has implemented mobile medication units to provide substance abuse treatment in areas where brick and mortar facilities are unavailable. The units deliver medication, harm reduction resources and recovery services. Additionally, the agency distributed over 12 million fentanyl test strips, 9 million xylazine test strips, and 212,000 naloxone kits nationwide, ensuring rural areas have access to life-saving tools.

With addiction treatment centers operating in all regions, OASAS continues to provide individualized care tailored to the needs of rural New Yorkers, including those with co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

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