With a rich heritage of Creole, Cajun and French, Louisiana life is spiced up with foods like gumbo, andouille, etouffees, sauce piquantes, cayenne pepper, Tabasco and crawfish. The senses tingle and feet keep tapping with the sounds of jazz, blues and zydeco. Louisiana covers 43,562 square miles, with a 2011 estimated population of 4,574,836 people – with 1,153,042 people living in rural Louisiana (USDA-ERS). Baton Rouge is the state capital. The state’s largest cities are New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 63.8% of the state’s population is white, 32.4% is Black/African-American, and 4.4% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2011).
There are 126 hospitals in Louisiana (Kaiser, 2010), 27 of which are identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (March 2013). There are 112 Rural Health Clinics in Louisiana (Kaiser, 2012) and 29 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 96 sites in the state (LPCA, 2012). 20.0% of Louisiana residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2011).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Louisiana residents in 2009 was $37,632, although rural per-capita income lagged at $31,286. Estimates from 2010 indicate a poverty rate of 22.4% exists in rural Louisiana, compared to 17.6% in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 24.8% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 17.0% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Louisiana is 8.6%, while in urban Louisiana, it is 7.0% (USDA-ERS, 2011).
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; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List; Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA)
Organizations
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
To improve the lives of Louisianans by providing health guidance and affordable access to quality care.
Community Resource Group (CRG)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Assists rural communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas to solve water and waste disposal problems and provides information technology guidance to nonprofit organizations.
Foundation for the Mid-South
Nonprofit/Foundation
Focuses on four regional priorities including Education, Health & Wellness, Wealth Building, and Community Development. Works in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Louisiana
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnership (LACAP)
State/regional organization
Aims to establish professional human services organizations which promote economic and social opportunities as well as quality education in the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana Bureau of Primary Care and Rural Health
State government
Works to improve the health status of Louisiana residents in rural and underserved areas by working proactively to build community health systems' capacity to provide integrated, efficient and effective health care services. A division of Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
State government
Works to support families and children in Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LA DHH)
State government
Strives to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all citizens of the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals: Bureau of Minority Health Access & Promotions (BMHA)
State government
Serves as an infrastructure for addressing public health issues related to minority populations.
Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum
State/regional organization
Louisiana 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.
Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA)
State/regional organization
Representing all types of hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the state. LHA is a not-for-profit association that carries out its mission by supporting its members through advocacy, education and services.
Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD)
State government
Awards and administers federal financial assistance to units of general local government in the state of Louisiana.
Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA)
State/regional organization
Strives to achieve health care access for all and to eradicate health disparities to assure every Louisianan has affordable and regular primary health care services.
Louisiana Public Health Institute
State/regional organization
Promotes and helps improve the health and quality of life in Louisiana through public-private partnering at the community, parish and state levels.
Louisiana Rural Health Association (LRHA)
State/regional organization
Serves as a unified voice for the promotion of rural health care through advocacy, education, and leadership.
Louisiana State University Area Health Education Center Program Office (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Through a variety of programs, Louisiana AHECs work to train, recruit and retain health care professionals in rural and underserved areas of the state. Their website provides links to each of the four regional AHECs in the state.
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.
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 13 state area in the Southern region which includes TX, LA, AR, OK, AL, MS, GA, FL, KY, SC, NC, VA, and TN.
TexLa Telehealth Resource Center
State/regional organization
One of the telehealth resource centers funded by the federal Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. 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 in Texas and Louisiana.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Louisiana (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 Louisiana 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.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Louisiana
Website
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Louisiana Health Centers Data
Website
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.
Louisiana Health Grants Clearinghouse
Website
The clearinghouse is a searchable database of grant, loan and technical assistance opportunities specific to health matters. The goal of the clearinghouse is to provide users with information on federal, state and foundation funding opportunities that may benefit Louisiana's residents by improving health care quality and access.
Louisiana KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Website
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Louisiana QuickFacts
Website
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to parish-level data.
Louisiana Rural Health Information Exchange
Website
Supports Louisiana's health information technology initiatives in rural areas.
Louisiana 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.
Med Job Louisiana
Website
Offers information on the state's employment incentive programs for medical professionals including the Louisiana Rural Loan Fund and the J-1 Visa Waiver Program. Announces upcoming job fairs for physicians and other health professionals to explore practice opportunities in Louisiana. Is part of a partnership between the state Department of Health and Hospitals, the Louisiana Area Health Education Centers and the Louisiana Rural Health Access Program.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Louisiana
Website
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM South Central Region: Louisiana Resources
Website
Overview of the state, with links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Louisiana.
Southern Rural Development Center: Success Stories
Website
Describes successful programs involving states within the coverage region of the Southern Rural Development Center: stories currently feature Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas.
Stay Healthy Louisiana
Website
Offers interactive features, health expert advice, and the latest health news. Sponsored by DHH and LPHI.
See also: State-by-State Resources: Tools Maps & Map Collections
Dental HPSA Map of Louisiana
Geographic coverage: Louisiana
Shows which Louisiana parishes have a dental health professional shortage area (HPSA) either by geography of low-income population.
Date: 2012
Louisiana Adolescent School Health Program
Geographic coverage: Louisiana
Shows the locations of school-based health centers in the state.
Date: 2011
Louisiana Rural Definition Maps
Geographic coverage: Louisiana
Shows the geographic coverage provided by 9 different rural definitions for the state in color-coded maps.
Date: 2000
Louisiana's FQHCs by Organization
Geographic coverage: Louisiana
Shows locations of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Louisiana while indicating the main facility or organization behind the FQHC.
Date: 2012
Primary Care HPSA Map of Louisiana
Geographic coverage: Louisiana
Shows which Louisiana parishes have a primary care health professional shortage area (HPSA) either by geography of low-income population.
Date: 2012
See also: State-by-State Resources: Maps Funding
Community Resource Group (CRG) Loan Fund
Loans to help small, rural communities and tribal nations with water and wastewater projects.
Delta Health Care Services Grant Program
Provides financial assistance for the development of health care services, health care cooperatives, health education programs, health care training programs, and public health-related facilities in the Delta Region.
Delta Regional Authority States Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP)
Grants to help Delta communities create jobs and improve infrastructure.
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
Funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading.
Entergy Micro Grants
Provides grants for projects that effectively impact arts and culture; community improvement/enrichment; education and literacy; the environment; or healthy families.
Gannett Foundation Community Action Grants
Supports local organizations with funding priority given to programs that focus on education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation, and cultural enrichment.
Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants
Grants for organizations projects that focus on education, the environment, community enhancement, affordable housing, arts and culture, and entrepreneurship.
Gladys Brooks Foundation Grants
Offers grants for libraries, educational institutions, hospitals, and clinics.
Louisiana Impact Grants
Grants for organizations that provide health services, conduct research, and educate Louisiana residents about healthcare.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region Funding
Provides funding for National Network of Libraries members located in the South Central region to assist them in conducting outreach and technology projects.
Rural Health IT Workforce Loan Fund
Loans for health care providers in underserved communities to successfully adopt and utilize a Health IT system.
Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund
Awards grants in various rural and urban areas where Weyerhaeuser does business. Funds programs that work in the areas of affordable housing and shelter; education and youth development; environmental stewardship; and human services.
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
Case Studies of Wealth Creation and Rural-Urban Linkages
Author(s): Brian Dabson, Jennifer Jensen, Alan Okagaki, Adam Blair, Megan Carroll
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Rural Futures Lab
Analyzes four economic case studies in Oregon, New Orleans, Nebraska and Texas. Describes key concepts involved in wealth creation and rural-urban linkages.
Date: 04 / 2012
Demographic and Economic Profile: Louisiana
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
Housing in the Mississippi Delta
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Provides statistics and describes the housing needs of the Mississippi Delta region that will require multi-level approaches to address the social, political, and economic infrastructure of the region.
Date: 10 / 2011
Look at the Mid South Delta Region: A Glimpse of Its Assets, Socioeconomic Complexion, and Emerging Opportunities
Author(s): Bo Beaulieu, Marcus Littles
Sponsoring organization: Southern Rural Development Center
Offers a brief overview of the potential that exists to improve the social and economic conditions in the Mid South Delta Region.
Date: 03 / 2009
Minds Matter: Making the Connection Between Mental Health and Community Well-Being
Sponsoring organization: Foundation for the Mid-South
Describes the mental health status of people living in both rural and urban Missouri, Louisiana, and Alabama. Examines how some of their health centers implement holistic approaches to overcoming barriers and improving the mental wellness of individuals, and thus, better community wellness. Information is based on data from 2006-2009.
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 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Date: 2010
Rural People, Rural Places: The Hidden Costs of Hurricane Katrina
Author(s): Rogelio Saenz, Walter G. Peacock
Sponsoring organization: Rural Sociological Society
Shows how the characteristics of rural Gulf Coast families place them at higher risks during natural disasters and make them far less able to recover from such disasters.
Journal citation: Rural Realities Volume 1 Issue 2
Date: 2006
Small Business Profile: Louisiana
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: 2 / 2013
Southern Rural Development Center: 2011 Annual Report: Regional Innovations, National Applications
Sponsoring organization: Southern Rural Development Center
Describes the programs and progress of the Southern Rural Development Center, one of four regional centers coordinating rural development research and extension education programs.
Date: 2012
See also: State-by-State Resources: Documents Success Stories
Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Program
The Vanderbilt Center for Health Services’ Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) program provides early intervention services to low income families in Nashville as well as other urban and rural areas in Appalachia and the Mississippi delta, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
The ByNet CEI Project Outreach
ByNet’s St. Mary Parish (County) Chamber of Health Coalition comprised of over 70 representatives
of healthcare, social service, consumer, faith-based and governmental entities, identified five key areas of
need to improve healthcare in St. Mary and surrounding Parishes.
IT Project Connects Rural Louisiana Hospitals
Describes how Louisiana Rural Health Information Exchange (LARHIX), an information technology project bringing together 24 rural hospitals and the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S), works to fill the gaps in patient record sharing among rural Louisiana hospitals.
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