Wyoming comes from the Dakota word "mscheweamiing" meaning "at the big flats" or "large plains." Wide-open grasslands, scenic rivers, and spectacular mountains dominate the Wyoming landscape from the Grand Teton to Yellowstone National Park, from the Shoshone National Forest to the eastern Great Plains. Wyoming covers 97,100 square miles, with a 2012 estimated population of 576,412 people – 403,308 living in rural Wyoming (USDA-ERS). Cheyenne, the capital, is located in the south-eastern region of the state. It is the state’s largest city followed by Casper and Laramie. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 93.5% of the state’s population is white, 2.6% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 9.1% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2011).
There are 24 hospitals in Wyoming (Kaiser, 2010), 24 of which are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Dec. 2008). The state has 16 hospitals identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (March 2013). There are 18 Rural Health Clinics in Wyoming (Kaiser, 2012), and 6 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 16 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). Most Wyomingites have some form of health insurance coverage, although 18.0% of its residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2011).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Wyomingites in 2011 was $47,898, although rural per-capita income lagged slightly at $46,945. Estimates from 2011 indicate a poverty rate of 11.6% exists in rural Wyoming, compared to a 10.6% level in urban areas of the state. 2011 ACS data reports that 8.2% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 7.9% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Wyoming is at 5.8%, and in urban Wyoming it is at 6.3% (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; North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (HICAHS)
Academic/Research
One of ten NIOSH Agricultural Safety and Health Centers throughout the United States. Located at Colorado State College. Composed of a multi-disciplinary team that researches topics such as mechanical hazards, tractor roll-overs, musculoskeletal stress, respiratory disease, and traumatic injury. Covers the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Wyoming
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Institute of Translational Health Science (ITHS)
Academic/Research
Supports research that improves human health by leading to discoveries that will eliminate human disease. Uses a multidisciplinary approach in working with clinicians and communities. One of 60 sites nationwide. Serves WWAMI area: Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho.
Midwest Assistance Program (MAP)
State/regional organization
Helps communities and tribal nations find solutions to their infrastructure and development needs through information, resource management, expertise, and technical assistance. Helps rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. As of October 2012 is a partner with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) to provide technical assistance to communities in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Montana and Wyoming Regional Extension Center
State/regional organization
Montana and Wyoming 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.
Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council
State/regional organization
An organization that supports health and human service concerns related to American Indians in Montana and Wyoming.
Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation
State/regional organization
A Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) working to improve the health of people in Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region (NN/LM-MCR)
State/regional organization
Works to improve access to health information for health professionals, librarians, and members of the public in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. Also provides free training on using National Library of Medicine online resources.
Northwest Regional Primary Care Association (NWRPCA)
State/regional organization
Member organization that strengthens community and migrant health centers in the Northwest by leveraging regional power and resources on their behalf.
Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC)
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. Includes Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Proyecto/Project IDEAS
State/regional organization
Strives to improve HIV prevention services for Latino/Hispanic populations living in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming. Focuses on adapting and tailoring CDC-approved interventions that are culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate. This is a capacity building assistance program for community-based organizations and state and local health departments.
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.
State of Wyoming Department of Family Services: Adult Protective Services
State government
Ensures that safety and basic needs are being met in the least restrictive environment for vulnerable adults.
State of Wyoming Department of Family Services: Child Support Enforcement
State government
Helps establish paternity and encourage regular child support payments to ensure that all children in Wyoming are provided for.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Wyoming (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.
University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Network
State/regional organization
Comprises 18 family medicine residency programs across five northwestern states, each members of a larger collaborative program often referred to as WWAMI. Promotes excellence in family medicine residency education, provides academic leadership, and responds to societal needs for family physicians.
USDA Rural Development Wyoming 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.
VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
Federal government
Also known as Veterans Integrated Service Network 23. Serves more than 400,000 enrolled Veterans residing in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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.
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, 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 seven 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.
Wyoming Business Council
State/regional organization
Focuses on public and private efforts to build a strong job creation base in the new economy with manufacturing and technology as core competencies while strengthening the existing business and industry groups under energy, agriculture, tourism and travel.
Wyoming Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
Mission is to increase access to quality health care and to use educational methods to attract and retain health care providers in areas of need.
Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA)
State/regional organization
Raises capital to provide mortgages for affordable housing to Wyoming families.
Wyoming Department of Education: Special Education
State government
Resources and information for educators and parents of children with special educational needs.
Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS)
State government
Dedicated to family success with a vision that families will assume more responsibility for raising their own children.
Wyoming Department of Health (WDH)
State government
Mission is to promote, protect, and enhance the health of all Wyoming citizens. The primary state agency for providing health and human services.
Wyoming Department of Health: Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Provides funding and guidance responsive to the needs of people with disabilities to live, work, enjoy, and learn in Wyoming communities with their families, friends, and chosen support service and support providers.
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS)
State government
Focused on delivering comprehensive and effective services that build a workforce to meet the changing demands of Wyoming's diverse businesses, citizens and economy.
Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
State government
Committed to helping people with disabilities establish and reach vocational goals that help them become productive working citizens.
Wyoming Health Resources Network Inc. (WHRN)
State/regional organization
Dedicated to improving rural health in Wyoming. Composed of the state's leaders in health care working to support efforts to recruit and retain health care providers in Wyoming while encouraging healthy communities.
Wyoming Hospital Association (WHA)
State/regional organization
A member owned, private, non-profit organization representing Wyoming hospitals. WHA serves as the voice of Wyoming hospitals before local, state, regional and national legislative and regulatory bodies, the media and the general public.
Wyoming Medical Society
State/regional organization
Provides representation, advocacy and service to Wyoming physicians and works to improve the health of Wyoming's citizens.
Wyoming Mental Health Division
State government
Exists to be a leader in providing high-quality behavioral services that anticipate and respond to the changing needs of persons served. Advocates for and participates in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive system of mental health services and supports throughout Wyoming, which stresses independence, dignity, security, and recovery.
Wyoming Office of Multicultural Health
State government
Works to ensure Wyoming's racial and ethnic minority residents receive the same quality health care as the general population by advocating for policies, programs and services that improve access to health care systems.
Wyoming Office of Rural Health (WORH)
State government
Promotes collaboration in expanding comprehensive, community based primary care services in the rural/frontier communities of Wyoming. Places high priority on improving access to care for the underserved and vulnerable populations of the state.
A division of the Wyoming Department of Health.
Wyoming Primary Care Association (WYPCA)
State/regional organization
An association comprised of Community Health Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless and Migrant Health Programs that supports federally-funded health centers in providing primary health services to the underserved and to assist in the expansion of those services throughout Wyoming.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Wyoming
Website
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Wyoming
Website
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM MidContinental Region: Wyoming Resources
Website
Overviews the state and provides links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for residents of Wyoming.
WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies Regional Information Center
Website
Provides access to health workforce information for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Content is available by state and by profession.
Wyoming AgrAbility
Website
The goal of Wyoming AgrAbility is to inform, educate, and assist ranchers, farmers, farm workers, and their families with disabilities, so they can continue to do what they love - ranching and farming. Wyoming AgrAbility is a partnership of the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, Gottsche Rehabilitation Center, Wyoming Independent Living Rehabilitation, and Center for Rural Health Research and Education. Wyoming AgrAbility is part of a national program administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, focused on promoting independence for members of the agricultural community who have disabilities resulting from injury, illness, aging, or other causes.
Wyoming Health Centers Research & 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.
Wyoming KIDS COUNT Data Center KCDC)
Website
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Wyoming QuickFacts
Website
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Wyoming 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.
See also: State-by-State Resources: Tools Funding
Community Facility Loans
Loans to help create and improve essential community facilities in the rural West.
Community Resource Group (CRG) Loan Fund
Loans to help small, rural communities and tribal nations with water and wastewater projects.
Daniels Fund Grants
Offers grants to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of aging, alcoholism and substance abuse, amateur sports, youth development, disabilities, homelessness, and education.
Environmental Infrastructure Loans
Loans to finance water and waste facility projects in the rural West.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation Housing Loans
Offers loans to create, improve, or expand the supply of affordable housing for communities in the rural West.
Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Programs
Funding for nonprofit organizations in the areas of community development, education, human services, arts and culture, civic responsibility, and environmental consciousness.
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
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
Case Studies on Transit and Livable Communities in Rural and Small Town America
Author(s): Sean Barry
Sponsoring organization: Transportation for America
Collection of 12 case studies providing examples of how small cities, towns, and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities.
Date: 09 / 2010
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
Demographic and Economic Profile: Wyoming
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, health care services, and employment. Includes maps and graphics.
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
Getting Children Where They Need to Go
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses the importance of public transportation in rural areas and how many rural children would not get to Head Start, doctors' appointments, day care or other services without it. Highlights Sweetwater Transit Authority Resources (STAR) in Wyoming which provides transportation for riders of all ages.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2007 Issue Winter
Date: 03 / 2007
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
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
Medicaid Options Study Report One
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Department of Health
Examines the State Medicaid system to ensure it administers a consistently high value, cost efficient healthcare system. Report One focuses general observations about the Medicaid system.
Date: 06 / 2012
Obstacles to Providing High-Quality Patient Care: Findings from a Survey of Wyoming’s Medical Care Providers
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, Mark P. Doescher, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Examines obstacles to providing high-quality patient care identified by Wyoming’s healthcare providers through surveys conducted in 2009.
Date: 08 / 2009
Small Business Profile: Wyoming
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
State of Wyoming: 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 Wyoming. Files are available for each county or as a statewide overview.
Date: 2008
Status and Future of Health Care Delivery in Rural Wyoming
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Provides findings from an analysis of health care service delivery in rural Wyoming. Includes an overview of Wyoming's population and the health care service delivery system. Covers workforce recruitment and retention, the economic impact of the health care system, and other topics.
Date: 06 / 2007
Status and Future of Health Care Delivery in Rural Wyoming: A Summary Report
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Provides recommendations for improving the health care delivery system in rural Wyoming.
Date: 07 / 2007
Workforce Challenges in Delivering Health Care to Elderly and Low-Income Populations in Wyoming: Medical Providers’ Acceptance of Medicaid and Medicare Patients
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Mark P. Doescher
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Examines the extent to which medical professionals in Wyoming provide care to enrollees in Medicaid and Medicare, and factors associated with provider acceptance of new patients.
Date: 09 / 2009
Wyoming Dentists, 2009
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Displays statistics calculated from Wyoming dentist licensing records and from a survey of all licensees conducted for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission in early 2009.
Date: 09 / 2009
Wyoming Health Professional Underserved Area Report, November 2009
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Discusses several programs, federal and state, that work to increase access to care in undeserved areas in Wyoming.
Date: 11 / 2009
Wyoming Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program Survey
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Results of a survey sent to participants of the Wyoming Healthcare Professional Loan Repayment Program.
Date: 05 / 2010
Wyoming Office of Rural Health Annual Report - 2008
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Reports on the annual activities of the Wyoming Office of Rural Health.
Date: 06 / 2009
Wyoming Office of Rural Health Annual Report - 2010
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Overview of the state's rural healthcare demographics, organization, infrastructure and state and federally funded programs.
Date: 2011
Wyoming Pharmacists, 2009
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Presents statistics on Wyoming pharmacists calculated from pharmacist licensing records and a survey of all licensees conducted for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission in early 2009.
Date: 09 / 2009
Wyoming Physician Assistants, 2009
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Displays statistics calculated from Wyoming physician assistant (PA) licensing records and a survey of all licensees conducted for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission in 2009.
Date: 09 / 2009
Wyoming Physicians, 2009
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Displays statistics calculated from Wyoming physician licensing records and a survey of all licensees conducted for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission in 2009.
Date: 09 / 2009
Wyoming Primary Care Gaps and Policy Options
Author(s): Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Mark P. Doescher, Barbara J. Robinson
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Provides an overview of primary care providers within Wyoming and provides examples and policy options that could be employed to bolster the primary care workforce in the state.
Date: 12 / 2008
Wyoming Primary Care Provider Workforce Report, June 2009
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Reports on the physician distribution, shortages, demographics of primary care providers, and provider vacancies.
Date: 06 / 2009
Wyoming Psychologists, 2009
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Susan M. Skillman, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies
Presents statistics calculated from Wyoming psychologist licensing records and from a survey of all licensees conducted for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission in early 2009.
Date: 10 / 2009
Wyoming Rural Health Clinic Survey
Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Office of Rural Health
Survey of the 16 certified Rural Health Clinics in Wyoming to help other clinics understand why becoming a Rural Health Clinic may be in their best interest.
Date: 07 / 2010
See also: State-by-State Resources: Documents Journals
Community Connections
Published quarterly. 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.
Source Newsletter
Published three times a year. Provides news on infrastructure and development needs for rural communities in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Success Stories
Women to Women Online Support Network
-
Need: Women living in rural areas with
chronic illness often face little social support,
leading to increased rates of depression and stress
-
Intervention: Women to Women offered
rural women with chronic conditions social support
networks via telecommunication
-
Result: WTW intervention participants
experienced positive increases in self-esteem, social
support, and empowerment over the control group
Powellink: Community-Owned Broadband
Powell, WY -- population 5,000 -- established a successful community-owned broadband network without relying on federal funding.
EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Using the power of group purchasing within a cooperative structure, the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperative developed to serve Minnesota and surrounding states.
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