Rural Renewal: Three Success Stories

Rural Renewal: Three Success Stories
January 2021
Author(s)
Phillip Polakoff, MD
Dennis Berens
David Angelson
Publisher
A Healthier WE
Publication Documents

This report uses three rural areas -- Española, NM; Orangeburg, SC; and Ord, NE -- as case studies to understand how, in spite of their vulnerabilities, rural communities can still achieve health and prosperity. According to the authors, key strengths exhibited by these rural American cities are: close knit communities, a strong work ethic, self-sufficiency and resilience.

Strong leaders with a progressive vision, the report posits, can bring residents together to realize the goals of community health and wellness. While rural America still has many challenges to surmount, this report looks at three success stories that the authors believe can be replicated in other rural communities.