The Introduction to Rural Older Adults and Factors Impacting Health course provides an overview of the rural older adult population in the United States for primary care.

This course introduces learners to the unique needs of the rural older adult population and specific health disparities that inhibit access to care. By completing this course, learners will be able to describe the growing older adult population and its demographic changes, define the difference between health equity and health disparity and apply these concepts to the rural older adult population, identify risk factors that contribute to health disparities for rural older adults, and describe strategies for addressing health disparities in rural communities. 

About this Series:

The Care of Older Adults in Rural Areas (COA-RA) Series was created through a partnership between HIGN and the University of Memphis. The courses in this series were created through funding provided by the US Health Resources and Services Administration. These courses are designed to help the learner recognize factors that impact the well-being of older adults through the lens of rural life by examining poor health outcomes and providing strategies to improve their health.