Rural Health Week

WHEREAS, rural communities in Alabama and throughout the United States are wonderful places to live and work; and

WHEREAS, in rural communities, people know each other, listen to one another, act out of mutual respect and work together to benefit their community; and

WHEREAS, rural citizens possess a selfless, creative community-minded spirit; and

WHEREAS, agriculture is Alabama’s leading industry, with the value of agriculture products and timber sold in Alabama exceeding $5 billion each year; and

WHEREAS, the survival of everyone is almost entirely dependent upon products or resources that are produced or originate in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, meeting the unique healthcare needs of our rural citizens is constantly evolving, as rural communities face accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions and larger percentages of underinsured citizens; and

WHEREAS, ambulatory and emergency medical services are especially critical in rural Alabama, where 45 percent of the state’s population lives; and

WHEREAS, rural hospitals, in addition to being sources of innovation and resourcefulness that reach beyond geographical boundaries to deliver quality care, are also typically the economic foundation of their communities, with every dollar spent generating about $2.20 for the local economy; and

WHEREAS, being a rural healthcare provider offers tremendous opportunities to present more comprehensive, compassionate, patient-centered and holistic care to patients:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 14 through November 18, 2011, as

Rural Health Week

in the State of the Alabama, which includes National Rural Health Day on November 17, an encourage citizens to honor our rural communities as wonderful places to live and work.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 14th day of November 2011.

                                                                                                   Governor Robert Bentley