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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah needs more doctors and nurses, and really all types of health care workers — and no one needs them more than the folks in rural parts of the state.
While a majority of Utah counties grew in population between 2023 and 2024, the number of doctors and nurses in those counties did not grow, setting up room for concern in certain specialties in, especially, rural Utah.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, along with other health-related agencies and programs leaders — and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox — recognize the third week of November not only as National Rural Health Week but Utah Rural Health Week as well, a time to highlight the work of health care workers in Utah's 24 rural counties.
"Our rural communities rarely get any attention. It's a good way to honor all their effort," said Luisa Hensen, spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. "The health of someone in a rural community ... what they suffer from are the same things in other areas. The difference is the doctors do not have the big systems to help them."
Ending Saturday, the week has been a time to showcase these doctors' work and their talents, as well as allow them to address what makes their work and homes in rural Utah so special.
The hope is that not only will urban and suburban Utahns learn more about these communities during Utah Rural Health Week, but future doctors might see these areas as places of future employment.
Utah ranks 50th out of 51, out of the states and the District of Columbia, for the number of primary care physicians compared to population size, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine reports Utah as 48th in the country. The Commonwealth Fund also puts Utah 45th of 50 in terms of maternity care — and when it comes to mental health care, Utah's rural areas are in a critical state.
Everyone agrees doctors and nurses are needed in rural areas, but getting them there is easier said than done.
Nationally, the number of doctors has decreased, with the Association of American Medical Colleges reporting the U.S. will have a shortage of 86,000 doctors by 2036. In Utah, some rural communities have fewer than one physician per 1,000 residents.
Working as a nurse or doctor is difficult, but life as a doctor in a rural community is hard work, overall. There often are incentives — loan repayment and visa assistance for foreign workers, for example.
In 2011, Dr. Mark Graber, a former rural U.S. doctor, published an article in the American Medical Association's Journal of Ethics on the actual role of doctors in rural areas. Along with being doctors for all age groups, these physicians also handle preventive care and health education in the community, speak at local schools, serve as the doctor for sports teams, address complex cases because of the lack of specialists in the area and more.
There are also internet connectivity issues, lack of entertainment outside of the home, especially if you are not outdoorsy, little to no restaurant options and long drives to the city, where you can shop, go to lectures, etc.
The Impact Awards, started by the health department last year and awarded during Utah Rural Health Week, is a way to provide some celebration for the work in rural communities. These awards recognize medical staff — including dental — for going above and beyond their job expectations.
This year, 13 health care workers from rural Utah received Impact awards.
Graber noted this seemingly small action can go a long way for rural health care workers. Physicians in rural areas have the advantage of really knowing their patients due to seeing them and other members of the community at the grocery store, in local restaurants, in houses of worship — in short, everywhere. As such, celebrating any achievement with them is a big deal.
For new doctors and nurses, you might not have the ballet performing in your small town or village, but you will have a community that honors and celebrates with you when they can.
"It's important to recognize the incredible people who work in rural health and their life's work to it," said Matt McCullough, the rural hospital improvement director for the Utah Hospital Association. "Every year with Rural Health Week, I see more interest in rural health ... I see people collaborating to solve common problems."
