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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 15.7% of people living in Arkansas in 2014 were over the age of 65 and by 2030, that number is expected to increase to at least 25%. In addition, 44% of the state’s population is considered rural compared to the national average of 19%. Further complicating these data is that only 64.5 primary care practitioners (PCPs) per 100,000 people serve rural Arkansas areas compared to 139 PCPs per 100,000 people in urban Arkansas areas (Rural Profile of Arkansas, 2015). In Arkansas there are 76 Rural Health Clinics, 401 long term nursing facilities (188 in HRSA-designated Rural Areas), and 106 hospitals (29 are Critical Access). Therefore health care practitioners working in these rural areas need frequent and current information regarding best practices in caring for this growing population. |
