Oklahoma has a rich and interesting history that includes Indians, cowboys, oil discoveries, dust storms, settlements of free land and forced resettlements of Indian tribes. Fifty languages are spoken in the state of Oklahoma. There are 55 distinct Indian tribes that make the state their home, and each of these tribes has its own language or dialect. Oklahoma covers 68,667 square miles, with a 2010 estimated population of 3,751,351 people – 1,344,013 living in rural Oklahoma (USDA-ERS). Oklahoma City, the capital, is the largest city and is located in the center of the state. The state’s other large cities include: Tulsa, Norman and Lawton. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 72.2% of the state’s population is white, 8.6% is American Indian & Alaska Native, 7.4% Black/African American, 1.7% Asian, and 8.9% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).
There are 125 hospitals in Oklahoma, 69 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 34 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (Sept. 2010). There are 42 Rural Health Clinics in Oklahoma (Kaiser, 2011), and 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 37 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Oklahomans have some form of health insurance coverage, although 16.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Oklahomans in 2009 was $35,837, although rural per-capita income lagged at $30,498. 2010 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 18.8% exists in rural Oklahoma, compared to a 15.7% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 17.3% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 13.1% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Oklahoma is at 6.8%, while in urban Oklahoma it is also at 7.2% (USDA-ERS, 2010).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets; North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Oklahoma
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region (NN/LM-SCR)
State/regional organization
Supports collaboration among libraries and information centers that serve health information needs in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers (OKAHEC)
State/regional organization
Works to improve the quality, distribution and supply of primary care providers in rural and underserved communities and reduce disparities in access to health care between Oklahoma's rural and urban populations. Consists of four regional AHEC centers including Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.
Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA)
State/regional organization
Serves as a statewide association of private, nonprofit Community Action Agencies that focuses on the development of self-sufficiency for the economically disadvantaged people and communities of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS)
State government
Helps individuals and families in need help themselves to lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives. Includes several divisions and programs.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services: Adult Protective Services (APS)
State government
Oversees investigations into reports of possible maltreatment of vulnerable adults. It also helps the vulnerable adult and caregiver find and get services that are acceptable to the adult to help keep them as safe and healthy as possible.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services: Child Support Services (CSED)
State government
Acts as an economic advocate for the children of Oklahoma, ensuring that parents financially support their children.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services: Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD)
State government
Provide services to persons ages 3 and older who have a primary diagnosis of mental retardation (IQ of 70 or below). Persons served may also have other developmental or physical disabilities in addition to mental retardation.
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS)
State government
Delivers services in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence and sexual assault. Provides oversight regarding Department functions and activity related to the care, treatment, and recovery of persons suffering from mental illness and substance abuse.
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
State government
Provides services to citizens with disabilities. Includes five divisions: vocational rehabilitation, visual services, disability determination, school for the blind, and school for the deaf.
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC)
State government
Enhances economic stability and employment security by: providing Unemployment Compensation to support unemployed workers and their communities, matching jobs and workers,
referring workers to training opportunities, and gathering, analyzing and disseminating information about the labor force.
Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality (OFMQHIT)
State/regional organization
Oklahoma State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OKHCA)
State government
Charged with controlling costs of state-purchased health care. Studies and recommends strategies for optimizing the accessibility and quality of health care.
Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA)
State/regional organization
Represents more than 130 hospitals and health care entities across Oklahoma. Provides legislative tracking and representation, communications, educational programs, information and data, quality resources, and workforce shortage initiatives.
Oklahoma Office of Rural Health (OORH)
State government
Coordinates, plans and promotes quality healthcare for targeted, underserved rural Oklahomans through enhanced delivery systems such as education, research, service, analysis and development.
Oklahoma State Department of Education: Special Education Services (SDE)
State government
Ensures appropriate services and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities, through leadership, service and regulation.
Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH)
State government
Promotes the health of Oklahomans and focuses on preventing disease and injury.
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Office of Minority Health (OMH)
State government
Addresses the disproportionately poor health of Oklahoma’s racial and ethnic minority population.
Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences
Academic/Research
Educates osteopathic physicians, research scientists and other health care professionals with emphasis on serving rural and under-served Oklahoma.
Rural Health Association of Oklahoma (RHAO)
State/regional organization
Promotes rural health issues, through advocacy, education and leadership.
Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC)
State/regional organization
One of four regional rural development centers in the nation. Works to strengthen the region's 29 land-grant institutions in addressing rural development issues. Serves a 14 state area in the Southern region which includes TX, LA, AR, OK, AL, MS, GA, FL, KY, SC, NC, VA, and TN.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Oklahoma (HUD)
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
USDA Rural Development Oklahoma State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
Variety Care Family Health
Nonprofit/Foundation
A comprehensive, family-focused community health center that offers primary medical, dental, vision, pediatric, WIC and behavioral health care to any Oklahoman.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Oklahoma
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state. Updated yearly.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Oklahoma
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM South Central Region: Oklahoma Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Oklahoma.
Oklahoma AgrAbility Project
Web site
Assists people with disabilities employed in agriculture. Links the Cooperative Extension Service at a land-grant university with a private nonprofit disability service organization to provide practical education and assistance that promotes independence in agricultural production and rural living. The AgrAbility Project assists people involved in production agriculture who work both on small and large operations.
Oklahoma Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Oklahoma KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Oklahoma QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Oklahoma State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers (PERLC)
Web site
Comprised of 14 accredited schools of public health that serve in a national capacity to meet preparedness and response training and education needs of the U. S. public health workforce. Funded schools are located in AL, AZ, FL, IA, IL, MA, MD, MN, NY, OK, NC, TX, and WA.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Funding
Austin Family Scholarship Endowment
Scholarships are offered to American Indian students attending mainstream universities and tribal colleges for American Indian students pursuing undergrad, graduate and professional degrees.
Community Resource Group (CRG) Loan Fund
Loans to help small, rural communities and tribal nations, in select states, for water and wastewater projects.
OkAT Assistive Technology Grant
Individual grants to Oklahoma farming families impacted by disability issues who need an assistive or adaptive device to live with increased independence, work, or participate in valued leisure activities.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Documents, Reports and Other Publications
Demographic and Economic Profile: Oklahoma
Author(s): Kathleen K. Miller
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, income, and more. Includes maps and graphics.
Date: 01 / 2009
Oklahoma 2011 State of the State's Health Report
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State Department of Health
Reports on the health status of Oklahoma citizens using several health indicators. Addresses health-related issues affecting those living in rural areas. Compares Oklahoma data to that of the United States.
Date: 2011
Oklahoma Health Center Fact Sheet
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
Provides a description of what health centers are, and the most recent state-level data available for health center patients, services provided, staff, patient visits, and costs of care.
Date: 12 / 2010
Oklahoma Quick Health Facts 2010
Author(s): Leigh Purvis
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Presents data on Oklahoma including demographics, health expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, Medicare and Medicaid, and access to care.
Date: 07 / 2010
Oklahoma’s Health Care Industry Workforce: 2006 Summary
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development
Reports on a comprehensive study of the health care industry in Oklahoma. Includes information about health care workforce supply and demand in the state.
Date: 2006
Rural Dropout Problem: An Invisible Achievement Gap
Author(s): Jerry Johnson, Marty Strange, Karen Madden
Sponsoring organization: Rural School and Community Trust
Reviews high school dropout rates and related factors in rural high schools throughout 15 Southern and Southwestern states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Date: 2010
Small Business Profile: Oklahoma
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 02 / 2011
State of the State's Rural Health, 2008 Edition - Workforce Issues: Physicians & Hospitals
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State University - Center for Health Sciences
Summarizes the current status of rural health care in Oklahoma. Outlines the characteristics of Oklahoma’s rural physician workforce. Provides an overview of medical education in the state and the characteristics of the state’s hospital infrastructure.
Date: 01 / 2007
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Journals
Community Connections
Published quarterly, Community Connections reports on research, programs, and emerging issues affecting low and moderate-income and small business communities. As a regional headquarters of the central bank, the Kansas City Fed seeks to link the communities of the seven-state region to the work of the Federal Reserve, including Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, and portions of western Missouri and northern New Mexico.
Success Stories
Mobile Outreach to Rural Areas in Oklahoma
A mobile outreach initiative was implemented, allowing staff to deliver information and services to low-income citizens in very rural areas of Oklahoma.
Chickasaw Nation Rural Health Outreach Program
The Chickasaw Nation Rural Health Outreach Program was designed to provide a range of primary health care services to Native American elders living in the most rural and remote areas of the region. Specifically, the program was designed to expand services to areas where geriatric care was not available.
Parish Nurse Outreach Project
Since the church is widely considered the most viable institution in Harper County, area churches were the crux of the project's outreach efforts to address the limited health care resources available in the community, to assess individual and community needs, and to assist members of the community in accessing local resources.
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