This becomes a problem when you consider that rural areas need more access to health care when compared to their urban counterparts. Rural residents, for example, are fifteen percent more likely to have diabetes than their city cousins and thirty-two percent more likely to have arthritis. They are also more likely to have a chronic disease but have less medical insurance coverage. Recognizing the special needs of these communities the Carle Clinic Association and the Carle Foundation are working to find solutions for the rural communities through the Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety. By combining resources with organizations like Farm Bureau, Cooperative Extension Services, agri-businesses, and the University if Illinois, the Center is a partnership in the truest sense.
Education is an important part of what the center is all about.
Rural health and farm safety experts are available to speak to groups and organizations on a number of related topics, and also perform free health screenings. The Center is actively pursuing research grants in the area of rural health and farm safety. Current projects include the relationship of cancer to farm chemicals, substance abuse and farm safety, new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, and rural physician services. The center has established a Phone Resource Service to help people find answers to their questions about rural health and farm safety. Using Carle's experts as well as experts from other fields , the Service operates under the direction of an advisory board made up of academic, government, health care and community leaders.