Washington is nicknamed “The Evergreen State” because of the contribution of the forest to the state’s economy and the region's ecosystems. Several large rivers run through the forests creating excellent habitat for steelhead trout and an abundance of energy. The Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River provides 30% of the nation’s hydroelectric power. Washington covers 66,544 square miles, with a 2010 estimated population of 6,724,540 people – 824,155 living in rural Washington (USDA-ERS). Olympia, the capital, is located in the western region of the state. The state’s largest cities are Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 77.3% of the state’s population is white, 7.2% is Asian, 3.6% is Black/African American, 1.5% is American Indian and Alaska Native, and 11.2% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).
There are 88 hospitals in Washington. 35 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 38 hospitals identified as Critical Access Hospitals (Sept. 2010). According to the Washington State Office of Community Health Systems/Rural Health there are 129 Rural Health Clinics in Washington, and 25 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 193 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Washingtonians have some form of health insurance coverage, although 13.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Washingtonians in 2009 was $42,870, although rural per-capita income lagged at $32,439. 2010 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 17.2% exists in rural Washington, compared to an 13.0% level in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 12.7% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 10.1% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Washington is at 10.4%, while in urban Washington it is at 9.5% (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; Washington Office of Community and Rural Health
Organizations
Building Changes
State/regional organization
The mission of Building Changes (formerly known as AIDS Housing of Washington) is to increase and sustain the quality and quantity of HIV/AIDS housing resources throughout the State of Washington.
Center for Children with Special Needs (CSHCN)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Focuses on improving care for children with special needs by providing information to families and health care professionals throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho). Focuses on children who have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions such as asthma, cancer, autism, or cerebral palsy.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Washington
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Institute of Translational Health Science (ITHS)
Academic/Research
Supports translational research - research that improves human health by leading to discoveries that will eliminate human disease.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region (NN/LM-PNR)
State/regional organization
Supports collaboration among regional libraries and information centers in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)
Tribal organization
Works to assist Northwest tribes to improve the health status and quality of life of member tribes and Indian people in their delivery of culturally appropriate and holistic health care. A Native American Research Center on Health site.
Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC)
State/regional organization
One of five telehealth resource centers. Assists health care organizations, health care networks, and health care providers in the implementation of cost-effective telehealth programs to serve rural and medically underserved areas and populations. Includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing
State/regional organization
Dedicated to establishing local, regional and national housing policies and programs to help increase the production of affordable, quality housing for farmworkers and other low-income rural residents in the state of Washington.
Pacific Health Association (PHA)
State/regional organization
PHA is comprised of the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and Washington State Hospital Association. Formed to provide information, support and representation to current members of the three state associations and future members. PHA provides a vehicle for the three state associations to collaborate and provide better service to their members on a multi-state basis.
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU)
State government
Educates and trains health professionals in allied health and osteopathic medicine. Focuses on increasing access to primary health care services to rural communities in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
Qualis Health
State/regional organization
Serves as the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Idaho and Washington. Also provides service to Alaska.
Regence Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
Committed to building healthier communities, transforming health care and supporting end-of-life issues.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Helps rural communities in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming to improve community infrastructure. Offers numerous services including loans for housing and environment.
Rural Health Clinic Association of Washington (RHCAW)
State/regional organization
Works to improve the quality of healthcare and maintain access to healthcare in Washington State rural communities by promoting collaboration and education.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Washington (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 Washington 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.
Washington and Idaho Regional Extension Center (WIREC)
State/regional organization
Washington and Idaho 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.
Washington Area Health Education Center - WSU
State government
Focuses on health professions education and training as well as recruitment and retention, especially for rural and underserved communities for Washington state.
Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers (WACMHC)
State/regional organization
Advocates on behalf of the low-income, uninsured, and underserved populations of Washington State served by community health centers.
Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
State government
Provides protection, comfort, food assistance, financial aid, medical care and other services for children, families, vulnerable adults and seniors.
Washington Department of Social and Health Services: Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
State government
Assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and supports based on individual preference, capabilities and needs, and which promote everyday activities, routines and relationships common to most citizens.
Washington Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
State government
Provides employment-related services to individuals with disabilities who want to work but need assistance.
Washington Employment Security Department
State government
Helps people succeed throughout their working lives. Supports workers during times of unemployment, tracks and analyzes labor market trends, and links businesses and job seekers to a diverse range of employment services provided by the state's WorkSource system.
Washington Health Care Association (WHCA)
State/regional organization
Represents assisted living and skilled nursing facilities in Washington State. Promotes quality long-term health care and services while serving as an advocate for providers, staff and the patients and residents they care for.
Washington Office of Public Instruction: Special Education
State government
Implements special education and related services to meet the unique needs of special education students.
Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA)
State/regional organization
Advocates for enhanced access, quality and stability for rural health services throughout Washington.
Washington State Board of Health: Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities
State government
Works to create a plan to eliminate health disparities in Washington State.
Washington State Community Action Partnership
State/regional organization
A partnership of all Community Action Agencies in the state of Washington serving all 39 Washington counties. Provides assistance to states and local communities, working through a network of Community Action Agencies for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas and migrant or seasonal farm workers to become as self-sufficient as possible. Also provides family development services through trained and certified specialists that work with the entire family to develop the necessary plans to become more self-sufficient.
Washington State Department of Health
State government
Works with federal, state and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthier and safer. Home to the federally funded State Office of Rural Health.
Washington State Department of Social & Health Services: Aging & Disability Services Administration (ADSA)
State government
Serving adults with chronic illnesses or conditions and people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Also provides contact information for reporting adult abuse.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Division of Child Support
State government
The state agency that administers state and federal child support laws.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services: Mental Health Division
State government
Promotes recovery and safety for adults and children with mental illnesses.
Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA)
State/regional organization
A membership organization representing community hospitals and several health-related organizations. The association provides issues management and analysis, information, advocacy and other services.
Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC)
State government
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission is a publicly accountable, self-supporting team dedicated to increasing housing access and affordability and to expanding the availability of quality community facilities for the people of Washington.
Washington State Office of Community and Rural Health
State government
Helps rural and underserved communities
have access to health services. Administers grant programs, finds doctors, and connects health care professionals with clinics and hospitals.
Western Rural Development Center (WRDC)
State/regional organization
One of four regional development centers in the nation. Participates in rural development research and extension (outreach) projects cooperatively with universities in the West. Serves a 13 state area in the Western region and 4 U.S. Pacific Territories, which includes WA, UT, WY, NV, ID, HI, CA, AZ, AK, OR, NM, MT, and CO.
Western Washington Area Health Education Center (WWAHEC)
State/regional organization
Works to assure equity of and access to health care for underserved rural and urban populations in western Washington through education and workforce development.
Western Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative (WWRHCC)
State/regional organization
Focuses on teleradiology, telepharmacy, and diabetic patient education. Develops rural nurse competencies, staff education, healthcare compliance, and healthcare quality projects.
WWAMI Area Health Education Center Network (WWAMI AHEC)
State/regional organization
WWAMI AHEC Program consists of the program office, and six independent AHEC Centers in the five WWAMI states: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Works to alleviate shortages of health care personnel in medically underserved rural and urban areas.
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center (WWAMI RHRC)
Academic/Research
One of nine Rural Health Research Centers currently funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. Focuses on training and supply of rural health care providers, availability and quality of care for rural women and children, and access to high-quality care for vulnerable and minority rural populations. Based in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Washington
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Indicators Northwest
Web site
A source of statistics by region, state, county, reservation, and tribe for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Users can find indicators and trends in areas like: demographics, economic well-being, and health.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Washington
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Pacific Northwest Region: Washington Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Washington.
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.
Returning Veterans Project
Web site
Serves as conduit for mental health and health care practitioners who wish to volunteer their professional services to veterans and their families of the current Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. The Project works to create a supportive network of community resource for returning veterans and their families.
Washington 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.
Washington KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Washington QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Washington 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.
WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies Regional Information Center
Web site
Provides access to health workforce information for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho. Content is available by state and by profession.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Documents, Reports and Other Publications
2012 WICHE Workplan: It's All About Outcomes
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's focus in 2012 which includes finance, access and success, workforce and society, technology and innovation, and accountability. Highlights students exchange programs in rural and underserved areas, rural healthcare initiatives, and rural primary care clinics.
Date: 09 / 2011
Age Matters: Who Lives in Rural Washington?
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Provides an overview of age groups found in rural Washington State and a comparison of age groups in rural and urban Washington State.
Date: 06 / 2007
Beyond The Bottom Line: Expanding Economic Opportunities For Washington's Working Families
Author(s): Annette Case, Scott Mingus, Bob Watrus
Sponsoring organization: Annie E. Casey Foundation
Explores the labor market, economic and
policy context in which Washington State workers must
operate, and reveals existing opportunities for low wage families to achieve economic success.
Date: 10 / 2004
Cancer Screening in Washington State: Does Location Matter?
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Discusses cancer screening statistics and how they vary among geographic areas.
Date: 09 / 2008
Changing West: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Provides baseline data for identifying population changes in the western states for use in advancing rural development.
Date: 2008
College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) Program, 2011
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Describes practices and lessons learned in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota, and Washington during the second year of the federal College Access Challenge Grant program. Includes rural locations.
Date: 02 / 2011
Contribution of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to Generalist Care in Washington State
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, Lorella Palazzo, Bobbi Berkowitz, Michael J. Pirani, L. Gary Hart
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Describes the contribution to generalist care made by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) in Washington State. Includes data on NP and PA contributions in rural areas.
Journal citation: Health Services Research Volume 38 Issue 4 Pages: 1033-1050
Date: 08 / 2003
Critical Access Hospital (CAHs) Medicaid Charges are about Three-Percent
Author(s): Mike Lee
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
A fact sheet identifying how the services of CAHs in Washington State have little impact on the Medicaid budget.
Date: 12 / 2007
Demographic and Economic Profile: Washington
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, and more. Includes maps and graphics.
Date: 01 / 2009
Demographic, Education, and Practice Characteristics of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Washington State: Results of a 2008 Survey (Full Report)
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Louise Kaplan, Marie-Annette Brown
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Describes the background and practice characteristics of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) who live and practice in Washington state.
Date: 04 / 2009
Demographic, Education, and Practice Characteristics of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Washington State: Results of a 2008 Survey (Policy Brief)
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Provides a policy brief on the background and practice characteristics of Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) in Washington State.
Date: 04 / 2009
Economic and Health Insecurity: A Survey of Washington Voters 18+ on Current Legislative Issues.
Author(s): Jennifer H. Sauer
Sponsoring organization: AARP
Presents the results of a survey of Washington State voters to assess their concern of both economic and health challenges.
Date: 02 / 2009
Education: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Explores education characteristics in the western states and examines how it impacts rural development.
Date: 2008
Employment, Income and Poverty: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines and compares employment and income in western states with both rural and urban data.
Date: 2008
Greening Homes Through Brown Development: Water Conservation and Drought Tolerant Landscaping
Author(s): Allison Holmes
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Working in the arid climate of central Washington, the Office of Rural and Farmworker Housing has developed several techniques to conserve water and reduce utility costs for clients.
Journal citation: Rural Voices Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages: 13
Date: 2008
Health and Longevity: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines health and longevity for states in the western region.
Date: 2008
Home Care Aides in Washington State: Current Supply and Future Demand
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, Anne Basye, Martha Reeves, Brenda Hoskinson
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Overview of home care aides in Washington State.
Date: 01 / 2011
How Many Agencies does it Take to Define Rural?
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Identifies and describes briefly four of the most commonly used state and federal definitions
Date: 07 / 2007
Land Use and Resources: A Regional Overview
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Examines land use and resources in the western states.
Date: 2008
Out of the West: Creative Placemaking in Rural Washington
Author(s): Michael Gallant
Sponsoring organization: National Endowment for the Arts
Portrays how a small rural town with a diverse population created a prosperous venue for ethnic traditions and art.
Date: 2011
Profile of a Typical Rural Resident
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Provides a comparison of the typical rural resident to the Washington State population as a whole.
Date: 04 / 2008
Rural Disparities in Mortality
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Reports on a study that found rural residents have a higher risk of preventable deaths than urban residents.
Date: 06 / 2008
Rural Washington: Closing Health Disparities
Author(s): Zeynep Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Results of a state-wide rural health
assessment looking at 26 indicators of communicable disease, chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, and access to health care.
Date: 12 / 2008
Small Business Profile: Washington
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 Washington: Population Brief
Author(s): Don E. Albrecht
Sponsoring organization: Western Rural Development Center
Access baseline information for the advancement of rural development that examines population changes and characteristics within Washington. Files are available for each county or as a statewide overview.
Date: 2008
Student Exchange Programs: Statistical Report, Academic Year 2011-12
Sponsoring organization: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Discusses WICHE's three student exchange programs: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), and Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP). Covers Fall 2011 enrollment, discusses health workforce shortages, and the funds that flow between students' home states and the enrolling institutions in these programs.
Date: 01 / 2012
Traumatic Brain Injury: Prevalence, External Causes, and Associated Risk Factors
Author(s): Zeyno Shorter
Sponsoring organization: Washington State Department of Health
Provides an overview of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Washington State.
Date: 01 / 2009
Washington State Data Snapshot: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Highlights data and characteristics for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) in Washington State.
Date: 03 / 2011
Washington State Data Snapshot: Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Highlights data and characteristics for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Washington State.
Date: 03 / 2011
Washington State Data Snapshot: Registered Nurses (RNs)
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Highlights data and characteristics for Registered Nurses (RNs) in Washington State.
Date: 03 / 2011
Washington State Licensed Practical Nurse Supply and Demand Projections: 2007-2026 (Full Report)
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson, Amy Thomas, Linda Tieman
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Describes trends in licensed practical nurse (LPN) supply and demand for Washington State from 2007 through 2026.
Date: 08 / 2009
Washington State Licensed Practical Nurse Supply and Demand Projections: 2007-2026 (Policy Brief)
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Describes trends in licensed practical nurse (LPN) supply and demand for Washington State from 2007 through 2026.
Date: 08 / 2009
Washington State Registered Nurse Supply and Demand Projections: 2011-2031 (Full Report)
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Linda Tieman, Andrea U. McCook
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
Examines Washington State’s RN workforce in 2011 and provides estimates of RN supply and demand
change to 2031 based on four scenarios of RN
education capacity.
Date: 12 / 2011
Washington State Registered Nurse Supply and Demand Projections: 2011-2031 (Policy Brief)
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Linda Tieman, Andrea U. McCook
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
Summary of the study examining Washington State’s RN workforce in 2011 and provides estimates of RN supply and demand
change to 2031 based on four scenarios of RN
education capacity.
Date: 12 / 2011
Washington State’s Oral Health Workforce
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Joseli A. Alves-Dunkerson, et al.
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Comprehensive report on Washington State's current and future oral health workforce needs. Includes data specific to rural areas, state-wide data, and county specific data.
Date: 11 / 2009
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Success Stories
Facilitating Health Care for Special Needs Children in Southwest Washington State
The project consortium developed survey instruments, policies, procedures, and data forms and then contacted health departments, schools, and local medical and service providers to introduce project services and encourage referral of children with special needs.
Olympic Peninsula Maternal Child Home Visiting: Strengthening Services Through Collaboration
The goals of the project were to improve the quality of maternal and child home visits through training, support, and enhanced local resources; to improve the home visiting program by increasing revenues through private insurance and Medicaid; and to expand the number of home visits by increasing outreach to postpartum women living in outlying areas.
Washington-San Juan Co. Public Hospital District No. 1 DBA Inter Island Medical Center
San Juan County provides a snapshot of a national
problem: rural, isolated, with limited income for many residents, and with substantial numbers of
residents with undiagnosed or ineffectively treated psychiatric illness.
|
