NCRHA: Keeping Rural Health at the Center of the Conversation
Seventy-seven of North Carolina’s 100 counties are rural. That’s 3.65 million people—nearly 40% of North Carolinians—who call a rural community home. Building a healthy North Carolina can only happen when those communities have the power to drive decision-making around solutions to their most pressing challenges.
FHLI envisions a North Carolina where communities guide solutions to the problems they face, creating a state where everyone has equal opportunity to attain their full health and well-being potential and where no one is disadvantaged due to demographically, socially, or economically defined circumstances.
To help make this vision a reality, FHLI leads the North Carolina Rural Health Association (NCRHA). The membership-based association advocates for health access and equity for every North Carolinian, regardless of who they are or where they live.
Though we run an annual membership drive in July, you can join anytime. Learn more about rural health in North Carolina, NCRHA membership benefits, and more!
What Is NCRHA?
NCRHA is the official state affiliate of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). NCRHA began as an informal convening during the tenure of FHLI’s founding director, Jim Bernstein. Since then, it has evolved into a collaborative network of associations, organizations, and individuals representing health care, education, economic development, local government, and other partners invested in supporting rural health.
NCRHA in Action
NCRHA was busy in 2023 and 2024! Here’s a snapshot of our accomplishments during that time:
National Rural Health Day Celebration: In November 2023, NCRHA co-hosted a National Rural Health Day celebration with the North Carolina Office of Rural Health (NC ORH) at the Bertie County Aging Council, where local community members joined state officials and several federal government officials for the day-long event. 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the NC ORH, established by FHLI’s founding director, Jim Bernstein. The NC ORH is the country’s oldest rural health office.
Advocacy on Capitol Hill: In February 2024, NCRHA and fellow advocates traveled to Washington, DC, for the National Rural Health Association Policy Institute to help bring North Carolinian voices to Capitol Hill. The North Carolina delegation met with Representatives Wiley Nickel and Deborah Ross as well as staff from Senator Thom Tillis, Representative Valerie Foushee, and Representative Chuck Edwards’ offices.
Collaborative Initiative: In May 2024, NCRHA co-hosted a Legislative Breakfast with fellow FHLI programs, including the North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative (NCOHC) and the Center of Excellence (COE) for Integrated Care. Chris Shank from the North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) spoke about her work and the critical role NCRHA plays in advocating for rural communities across North Carolina.
NCRHA, NCOHC, and COE highlighted the following key policy priorities:
- Investing new funding in North Carolina Medicaid for dental services
- Growing the dental provider network
- Building on successful policy expanding rural broadband
- Building a more robust rural health care workforce
- Extending and increasing community health center funding
- Providing annual mental health well-visits
Informative Publication: NCRHA annually publishes a comprehensive report on rural health in our state. The 2024 NC Rural Health Snapshot includes data on statewide rural demographics, rural health, and health care infrastructure. In addition to outlining differences, disparities, and strengths of rural and underserved communities across the state, it identifies opportunities for North Carolina to improve how our public health systems serve our rural population.
Advocate, Network, Engage, & Drive Change
NCRHA convenes statewide partners to create a unified voice that promotes better rural health outcomes for rural North Carolina. Using FHLI’s Community Voice approach, based on human-centered design, NCRHA advocates for systems-level changes to ensure every community has its own seats at its own decision-making tables.
Membership is open to anyone passionate about health equity and access to care for our vibrant rural communities. As a member, you’ll connect with fellow advocates, keep rural health at the center of the conversation, and advance systems-level change.
Annual membership benefits will continue to grow and evolve. Current benefits include:
- Professional Development: Peer mentoring, a private LinkedIn group, NRHA webinars, resources, annual conferences, and advocacy opportunities on Capitol Hill
- Networking: Exclusive virtual and in-person events to connect with other health care professionals and advocates
- Voting: Influence organizational decisions, including operational documents and policy priorities
- Engagement: Participate in quarterly meetings and workgroups and get recognized on the NCRHA website with exclusive NRHA state affiliate news
- Event Discounts: Enjoy reduced rates for events like the NC Rural Center’s Rural Summit and more
NCRHA membership types include organizations (with tiered rates based on staff size), community-based organizations (CBOs), individuals, students, and retirees.
* NCRHA quarterly meetings are open to any party interested in participating. Paid membership comes with extra benefits, including voting power and access to additional perks and resources.
Amplify Impact with NCRHA Workgroups
As a member, you can also lean into focus areas you feel passionate about by participating in NCRHA workgroups that foster community collaboration to drive impactful rural health solutions. The workgroups include:
- Health Equity: Provides advice, guidance, and recommendations to advance health equity in underserved communities, including creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all in rural North Carolina.
- Behavioral Health: Convenes individuals and organizations working in behavioral health, including substance use/addiction, focused on access, quality, affordability, co-occurrence, social stressors, and the COVID-19 Pandemic’s ongoing impact in rural communities.
- Policy and Legislation: Raises health issues affecting rural communities within the group and monitors actions of the NC General Assembly as they pertain to rural health throughout our state, including assisting staff with developing an annual legislative agenda.
Whatever your key areas of focus, as an NCRHA member, you can amplify your impact by connecting and collaborating with fellow rural health advocates.
Support Rural NC Communities in Leading Toward a Healthier Future
Whether you’re among the 40% of North Carolinians who live in rural communities, you work to support rural health, you’re passionate about every person having access to the care they deserve, or all the above, you can help communities across our state lead toward a healthier future. Learn more and join NCRHA today!