Rural Health Week

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

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, agriculture is a leading industry in rural Alabama; and 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 41 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; 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 16 through November 20, 2015, as

Rural Health Week

in the State of Alabama. I encourage citizens to honor 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 18th day of September 2015.

Robert Bentley
Governor