Liz Urbanski-Farrell has devoted her career to enhancing health outcomes for individuals residing in rural areas, both within the United States and overseas. Currently serving as the new executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, she underscored the difficulties faced by rural residents when it comes to accessing healthcare.
In her speech, she highlighted that 44 out of New York’s 63 counties are either partially or entirely rural, making up 85% of the state’s land area, particularly in upstate regions. One of the most significant challenges that rural residents face is the distance they must travel to reach healthcare facilities. Even if they are willing to travel, they often have to take time off work and incur transportation expenses, which can be a considerable burden.
Although telehealth has provided some solutions, it also presents its own set of challenges such as higher costs due to infrastructure and privacy requirements. Furthermore, traditional health services in New York have not seen increased funding in recent years.
Urbanski-Farrell emphasized the significance of increased funding from the Legislature and Congress for rural healthcare. She argued that investing in rural healthcare now would lead to cost savings down the road. By addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities, we can improve health outcomes and overall well-being for those living in these areas.