Pennsylvania is the birthplace of independence and the Constitution. Pennsylvania covers 44,817 square miles, with a 2006 estimated population of 12,440,621 people – with 1,991,333 people living in rural Pennsylvania (USDA-ERS). Harrisburg is the state capital. The state’s largest cities are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown. According to the 2006 Census, 85.7% of the state’s population is white, 10.7% is Black/African-American, and 4.2% is of Hispanic/Latino origin.
There are 170 hospitals in Pennsylvania, 47 of
which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research
and Policy Analysis Center, 2007). The state has 13
hospitals currently identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical
Access Hospitals. There are 42 Rural Health Clinics in Pennsylvania,
and 29 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 160
sites in the state (Kaiser, 2004). Ten percent of Pennsylvania
residents lack any health insurance (Kaiser, 2004-2005).
According to the Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for all Pennsylvania residents in 2006 was $36,825, although rural per-capita income lagged at $27,709. Estimates from 2005 indicate a poverty rate of 12.4% in rural Pennsylvania and 11.8% in urban areas of the state. Regarding education levels, 2000 data reports 20.3% of the rural population has not completed high school, while 17.7% of the urban population lacks a high school diploma. The unemployment rate in rural Pennsylvania is 4.7%, while in urban Pennsylvania it is 4.3% (USDA-ERS, 2007).
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
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
State government
Works to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve the needs of Pennsylvania's rural residents.
Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP)
State/regional organization
Is a statewide association representing and assisting the 43 Community Action Agencies as they work to empower people, giving them the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed. CAAP is dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other as they move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
Governor's Advisory Council on Rural Affairs
State government
The Council will provide leadership and the framework through which the collective resources of all it's partners will be used to identify and address rural need and opportunities.
Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
State/regional organization
Is a statewide membership services organization that advocates for nearly 250 Pennsylvania acute and specialty care, primary care, subacute care, long-term care, home health, and hospice providers, as well as the patients and communities they serve.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Pennsylvania
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Pennsylvania Child Support Program
State government
The Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE), administers Pennsylvania's Child Support Enforcement Program through Cooperative Agreements with the 67 county Courts of Common Pleas.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
State government
The Department's mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent injury and disease, and to assure the safe delivery of quality health care for all Commonwealth citizens.
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
State government
Mission is to promote, improve and sustain the quality of family life; break the cycle of dependency; promote respect for employees;
protect and serve Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens; and manage our resources effectively.
Pennsylvania Forum for Primary Health Care
State/regional organization
Is the State Association of Pennsylvania's Community Health Centers. These community-owned and operated rural and urban centers provide quality health care that is both affordable and accessible.
Pennsylvania Nurses Association
Nonprofit/Foundation
Its vision is to be a strong and effective voice for all registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
State/regional organization
Works to improve the health of rural communities and their residents by compiling, analyzing, and disseminating information to policy makers. Also works to encourage partnerships and identify opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
Pennsylvania Public Health Association
State/regional organization
Is a membership alliance working to promote the health of Pennsylvania residents through the advancement of sound public health policies and practice.
Pennsylvania Rural Health Association
State/regional organization
Serves as a collective voice for rural health issues and a conduit for information and resources.
Pennsylvania/Delaware Area Health Education Center Program
Nonprofit/Foundation
Is committed to improving the healthcare needs of underserved communities in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Resources for Communities and People Solutions
State/regional organization
Helps support rural community infrastructure in the northeastern United States.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Pennsylvania
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.
University of Pittsburgh Center for Rural Health Practice
Academic/Research
Identifies and articulates health issues relevant to rural America. Works with all University of Pittsburgh campuses and schools, and with the UPMC Health System, providing access to many of the nation's top health researchers.
USDA Rural Development Pennsylvania 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
AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians
Web site
AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians is a project combining the talents of Penn State Cooperative Extension, Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania and PA Assistive Technology Foundation. Our main funding source is the US Department of Agriculture. Under the umbrella of the National AgrAbility Project, we bring information and service to farmers and farm family members affected by disability in rural areas of the Commonwealth.
ERS State Fact Sheet: Pennsylvania
Web site
Statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Pennsylvania
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
Pennsylvania QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Pennsylvania Community Level Information on Kids (CLIKS)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile
Web site
Highlights compile 2000 data on levels of employment, projected growth and key environmental factors that affect demand for health care. Details for medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health and aides.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania State Medicaid Profile
Web site
Provides data on Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for the state.
State Profiles- Pennsylvania: Health Information Technology (HIT)
Web site
Profiles the state’s health information technology (HIT) issues. Contains sections on demographics, HIT legislation, telemedicine, Health Information Exchanges (HIE) & Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO), grant funded HIT projects, and HIT survey information.
Wind Turbine Economic Feasibility Calculator Protocol and Household Electricity Use Estimation Sheet
Tutorial
Was developed so that homeowners, local officials, and others located in rural communities could evaluate the feasibility of installing wind energy in their home, business or community, and determine its cost-effectiveness.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Funding
BJ’s Charitable Foundation
Funding for safety, security and well-being of children and families, education and health programs, community service opportunities, and hunger and disaster relief.
FirstEnergy Foundation Grants
Funding for programs that focus on public and personal safety, support employee involvement, promote economic development, and advance professional development.
Highmark eHealth Collaborative Initiative for Pennsylvania Physicians
Funding to physicians to help reduce the initial cost of acquiring ePrescribing/eHealth Record technology for their practices.
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
Adult Day Services in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Janet Melnick, Heather Shanks-McElroy, Doris Chectotka-McQuade
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Overview of the need for and availability of adult day services in rural Pennsylvania. Includes information on services offered, staffing, and funding.
Date: 09 / 2004
Adult Education in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Wenfan Yan
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Describes the factors that influence adult learning and provides information to help policymakers foster adult learning programs in rural Pennsylvania. Focuses on three main areas including adult learners' characteristics and participation patterns, infrastructure for providing services, and funding streams that support literacy and basic education.
Date: 01 / 2006
Behind the Numbers: Rural (2006)
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses definitions of rural. Some definitions are created to show the most accurate picture while others are for statistical purposes or funding allocation.
Date: 2006
Broadband Internet Use in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Amy K. Glasmeier, Chris Benner, Chandrani Ohdedar
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Uses case studies to provide a description of how healthcare, local government, education and business, in rural Pennsylvania are using broadband Internet technology.
Date: 05 / 2008
Comparison of Rural and Urban Middle-Income Households
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Compares Pennsylvania’s rural and urban middle-income households, which are defined as those with yearly incomes of $37,501 to $57,000.
Date: 2007
Demographic and Economic Profile: Pennsylvania
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: 06 / 2006
Dental Service Supply and Demand for the Indigent Populations in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Myron Schwartz, Lisa Davis, Alberto Cardelle, Kristina Whitmire
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Describes the supply and geographic distribution
of dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists in rural Pennsylvania. Also addresses the demand for dental care among Pennsylvania's poor, rural school-age children.
Date: 2004
Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Rural Pennsylvania
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses trends in drug and alcohol use and treatment such as the demographics of users and their drugs of choice and state police data for insight into related arrests and convictions.
Date: 05 / 2006
Exploring Public Housing Use in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Pamela C. Twiss, Thomas R. Mueller
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Describes available public housing in rural Pennsylvania, occupancy, and characteristics of rural public housing residents. Discusses housing challenges in rural areas.
Date: 01 / 2004
Health and Nutrition of Hispanic Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers
Author(s): Katherine L. Cason, Anastasia Snyder, Leif Jensen
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Describes the health and food security issues facing Hispanic migrant and seasonal farm workers in rural Pennsylvania. Includes information on barriers to health care access and barriers to good nutrition.
Date: 11 / 2004
Housing Trends in Rural Pennsylvania
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses rural housing availability and affordability in Pennsylvania.
Date: 2005
How Are You Connected?
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Provides characteristics of rural Pennsylvania households with and without Internet access.
Is Bigger Better?: A Comparison of Rural School Districts
Author(s): Wenfan Yan
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Results of a study which examined rural PA
countywide school districts, rural non-countywide school districts and mixed rural-urban school districts.
Date: 09 / 2006
Overweight Children in Pennsylvania
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Comparison of rural and urban children's rates of overweight and obesity, based on a study of Pennsylvania schools. Includes demographic and educational statistics.
Date: 01 / 2005
Pennsylvania Critical Access Hospital Consortium: A Strategy-Focused Performance Improvement Network
Author(s): Larry Baronner, Gregory Wolf
Sponsoring organization: National Association for Healthcare Quality
The Pennsylvania Critical Access Hospital Consortium (PACAHC) has had success with an ambitious plan to bring together 12 small rural hospitals to support performance improvement initiatives. PACAHC differs from most other rural health networks or state Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Programs because of its multiyear process to implement Balanced Scorecards at every member hospital and its innovative coordination of data collection and reporting systems to enable performance comparison. PACAHC also convenes statewide performance improvement meetings that allow partner organizations, such as the state quality improvement organization, to contribute to improvement activities.
Journal citation: Journal for Healthcare Quality
Date: 09 / 2006
Prisons and Rural Communities: Exploring Impact and Community Satisfaction
Author(s): Kevin E. Courtright, Michael J. Hannan, Susan H. Packard, Edward T. Brennan
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Examines the relationship between rural communities and State Correctional Institutions in four rural communities in Pennsylvania.
Date: 05 / 2007
Profile of Rural Pennsylvania Elderly Women
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Looks at the population of elderly women who are 65 years old and older living in rural Pennsylvania.
Protocol for Determining the Feasibility of Installing Dedicated Wind Energy in Pennsylvania Rural Communities
Author(s): Robert Weissbach, James Sonnenmeier
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses wind energy and is intended to be a first step in determining whether installation of a wind energy system is suitable for a particular site.
Date: 05 / 2008
Rural by the Numbers 2007: A Look at Pennsylvania’s Rural Population
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Focuses on rural and urban similarities and differences among Pennsylvania demographic characteristics, income, health insurance, education, employment, and housing.
Date: 07 / 2007
Rural by the Numbers, 2006: A Look at Pennsylvania's Rural Population
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
The Center asked a sample of rural residents questions about their families, home, income, employment, educational attainment, and health insurance. This year's report focuses on health insurance. The Center's analysis looks at the characteristics of households with different types of health insurance and those without health insurance.
Date: 09 / 2006
Rural Economic Snapshot: Second Quarter 2005 to Second Quarter 2006
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses economic growth, employment, wages, and business establishes in rural Pennsylvania.
Rural Youth Education Project: First Wave
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Results of the first testing of a sample of rural PA students regarding a project underway until 2010. Describes the procedures used and the information collected for the first wave of the study.
Date: 09 / 2006
Rural-Urban Analysis and Comparison of Health Insurance Benefits Offered by Small Businesses
Author(s): Martin Shields, Lisa Davis, Jennifer Halvorson, Jessica Sheer, Jennifer Hessert
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Discusses business-sponsored healthcare and the challenges facing small businesses, which are those that employ less than 50 workers, to provide healthcare benefits for employees and their dependents.
Date: 05 / 2007
School Nurses on the Front Line: Challenges in Meeting the Diverse Health Needs of Rural Pennsylvania School Children
Author(s): Marianne M. Hillemeier, Lisa A. Davis, Carol A. Smith
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
School nurses are the health professionals most consistently involved with the health needs of children, particularly in rural areas where primary care providers are less likely to be located.
Date: 09 / 2007
Small Business Profile: Pennsylvania
Sponsoring organization: U.S. 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: 2006
State Profiles - Pennsylvania: Reforming the Health Care System
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Detailed profile of the state's health care system. Covers demographics, expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, health care providers, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance coverage, and key trends.
Date: 12 / 2005
Statewide Investigation into Meeting the Mandates of No Child Left Behind
Author(s): Patricia Smeaton, Faith Waters
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Provides a comprehensive picture of the progress Pennsylvania’s rural and urban schools are making in meeting the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandates and offers considerations for additional program support for all schools.
Date: 02 / 2008
Status Check IV: Pennsylvania Rural Health Care
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Rural Health Association
Discusses the challenges of delivering quality health care in rural Pennsylvania. Examines the cultural, economic, social, geographic, and demographic characteristics of the state. Includes statistics and data.
Date: 08 / 2005
Substance Abuse in Rural Pennsylvania: Present and Future
Author(s): Laurie Roehrich, William Meil, Jennifer Simansky, William Davis, Jr., Ryan Dunne
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Reports on the current status and trends in substance use and treatment in rural Pennsylvania.
Date: 11 / 2007
Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention in Rural Pennsylvania
Author(s): Robert S. D'Intino
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
Identifies and evaluates the most effective strategies for increasing recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Includes a literature review, interviews, and published and unpublished reports.
Date: 05 / 2006
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Success Stories
Another Step Forward -- Wellsboro, PA
Another Step Forward is a 3-year initiative to improve the health and social services for the county and surrounding areas by developing a county-wide health plan that would develop collaboration among the various service providers.
Clinton County Community Health Outreach Project
The program established a series of regularly scheduled screenings for hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, colon
and prostate cancer, and other chronic conditions.
Wayne Memorial Hospital Consortium Patient Safety Project
This project is built on the premise that a significant aspect of patient safety that can be improved is in the realm of medication, including prescription, transcription, validation, documentation, ordering, dispensing, administering, and usage of drugs and other pharmaceuticals.
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