Liz Urbanski-Farrell has dedicated her career to improving the health outcomes of rural communities in the U.S. and beyond. Recently appointed as the executive director of the New York State Association for Rural Health, she is focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by residents in rural areas.
In New York State, 44 out of 63 counties are either partially or fully rural, encompassing 85% of the state’s landmass, particularly in upstate regions. Urbanski-Farrell highlights the difficulties residents face in accessing healthcare, often having to travel long distances and take time off work, resulting in financial and logistical challenges.
Despite the growing use of telehealth services, it can be more expensive than traditional care due to infrastructure and privacy requirements. In addition, traditional health services in New York have not received increased funding in recent years, making it difficult to meet the needs of rural communities.
Urbanski-Farrell advocates for increased support from the legislature and Congress to address the rising costs of healthcare in rural areas. By investing in rural healthcare now, she believes that we can save money in the long run and improve the overall health of rural populations.