Rural Health Advisory
Committee
Work Planning
September 23, 2011
Rural Population
Population by Region (2009)
3,500,000
3,000,000
Almost half of MN’s population lived
outside the 7-county metro
2,846,576
Population
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
676,538
544,136
489,687
387,600
500,000
321,677
0
Northwest
Southwest
Central
Region
Northeast
Southeast
Metro
Population
Percentage of Population in Small or Isolated Rural Areas by Region (2000)
100
90
80
Percent
70
66
64
60
50
40
32
31
30
19
20
10
0
0
Northwest
Southwest
Central
Northeast
Region
Southeast
Metro
Greater Minnesota
 62% of the people in
Greater Minnesota live in
large rural or urban areas.
 38% of people in Greater
Minnesota live in small or
isolated rural areas
Rural Population
Age Distribution by Region (2009)
Percent of Total Population
35
30
30
28
27
29
27
26 26
24
25
21
27
21
20
20
16
15
10
12
14
12
9 8
7
7
16
14 15
8
9
15
13 13
13
11
9 8
7
6 6 6
7 7 7
7
6 5
5
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0-4
05-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65-74
75+
0
Northwest
Southwest
Central
Northeast
Southeast
Metro
Region
The NW, SW, and NE regions had the highest percentages of older
Minnesotans
Rural Population
Minority Population by Region (2009)
10
9
8
8
Percent
7
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
3
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1 1
1
2
1
1
0
2
1
1
0
Northwest
Southwest
Central
Northeast
Southeast
Metro
Race/Ethnicity
Black/African American
Amer. Indian/Alaskan Native
Asian/Pacific Islander
Two or More Races
Hispanic/Latino
Health Status Report: Key
Findings
 In Rural Areas, there are:

Fewer people with at least some
college

More people reported “fair” or “poor”
health

More people reported being current 
smokers

More people were identified as obese

Fewer people reported exercising in

the previous month

More people were uninsured




Lower rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea

and
HIV/AIDS infection
Higher mortality rates due to
pneumonia and
influenza, especially in the older
population
Higher diabetes, stroke and heart
disease
mortality rates
Lower homicide rates
Higher suicide rates
Lower unintentional injury mortality
rates
Higher mortality due to motor
vehicle injury.
Uninsurance Rates by Economic Development
Region, 2007 and 2009
7.5%
Northwest
17.5%*
9.1%
9.4%
Northeast
8.0%
West Central
12.2%
8.3%
Central
12.3%
7.8%
Southwest
7.8%
7.1%
Southeast
2007
6.6%
7.6%
Twin Cities
0%
8
2009
9.0%
5%
10%
* Indicates statistically significant difference (95% level) from 2007.
Source: Minnesota Health Access Surveys, 2007 and 2009
15%
20%
25%
Minnesota’s Health Professional
Shortage Areas
Aging Providers, Aging Population,
Same # or fewer Health Career Grads
150
60+
Population
100
Med School
grads
Dental
School
grads
50
%
Pharmacy
grads
0
-50
-100
2004
2007
2012
2017
2030
Nursing
grads - U of
M
Loss of
current
nurses
Loss of
current
MDs
Primary Care Workforce: Regional Strategic Input
 Population changes and needs
Aging
Lack of access to needed services
Mental health
General Surgery
Obstetrics
Dementia and other age-related issues
 Higher education challenges
Faculty shortages, clinical training (esp. rural)
Primary Care Workforce: Regional Input
Provider changes and issues
Aging
Current and projected shortages (in
numbers and in geographic distribution)
Ability to practice at the top of license
Community Health Workers, Community
Paramedics
Primary Care Workforce: Regional Input
 Health care delivery changes
 Health care homes
 Stronger integration of primary care and other
services (mental health, pharmacy)
 Accountable Care Organizations
 Focus on health status, health outcomes, diversity
 HIT, Telehealth
MDH Strategic Initiatives
Community-Oriented
Prevention and Primary Care
SHIP and Community
Benefit/Collaboration Plans
Public Health Infrastructure