Mee Memorial Healthcare System to celebrate ‘the power of rural’ on Nov. 18 for Rural Health Day

KING CITY, Calif., — There are many advantages to living in rural areas, among them less noise, more privacy, a close proximity to nature and a strong sense of community. As the only comprehensive medical facility within 40 miles of its base in King City, Mee Memorial Healthcare System will celebrate National Rural Health Day with its neighbors on Nov. 18. Each year, the third Thursday in November is set aside to highlight rural communities as wonderful places to live and work, to increase awareness of rural health-related issues, and to promote the efforts of organizations that address these issues. This year the theme is “Celebrate the Power of Rural,” with plans to honor the community-minded spirit that prevails in the countryside of America. However, today’s rural hospitals and clinics face unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. To better prepare rural healthcare leaders for the future, the National Rural Health Association has instituted a CEO Certification Program. Among the 26 graduates in September 2021 is MMHS CEO Rena Salamacha. Successful rural hospital CEOs developed the program to help current rural hospital CEOs strengthen their leadership skills and lead their hospital to success. Student poster contest To help further community spirit, Mee Memorial has launched a poster contest that is open to all South Monterey County public and private students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Poster submissions should reflect the 2021 theme. Prizes will be awarded to individuals (as well as to classrooms) for first, second and third place. Winners and teachers will be announced and notified on Rural Health Day, Thursday, Nov. 18. Entries will be accepted through November 15th. Students must send a photo or a PDF via email to media@thebuzzpr.net or through the U.S. mail (postmarked on or before Nov. 15) to: 1320-B Main St., #235 Salinas, CA 93901-2109. An estimated 57 million people — nearly 1 in 5 Americans — live in rural communities throughout the United States. Many of these rural communities face a variety of barriers that adversely affect their overall physical, social and mental health status. According to the National Rural Health Association, the following statistics help define healthcare challenges in rural areas across the country: Although 25 percent of Americans live in rural areas, only 10 percent of physicians practice in them. Rural residents tend to have a per capita income that is $9,242 lower than residents in urban areas. Approximately 1 out of 4 rural children live in poverty. Over the past 25-years, more than 500 rural hospitals have closed. Rural residents face greater problems with medical transportation than residents living in urban areas. Approximately 20 percent of rural counties lack not only basic mental health services but any mental health services at all. Approximately 54 percent of rural Americans lack access to high-speed internet. This can make it more difficult for them to access their health information from home. Tobacco use is a significantly higher problem among rural youth than it is urban youth. Rural communities have higher unemployment rates and more uninsured residents, which can result in limited access to healthcare. Rates of diabetes and coronary heart disease are higher in rural areas than urban areas. More information: Mee Memorial Hospital Foundation 300 Canal St., King City, CA 93930 Phone: 831-386-7327 Online: www.meememorial.com