The 2021 virtual NIH Rural Health Seminar features engaging panel discussions, presentations and early-stage investigator talks, organized in three tracks:

1. Sociocultural and economic determinants of health in rural populations
2. Physical environmental determinants of health in rural populations
3. Evaluation, measurements, and policy implications on rural health

Attendees will come away from this virtual seminar with an understanding of the impact of structural determinants on rural populations and the need for multi-level interventions to reduce rural health disparities.

About the Seminar
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday of every November to observe National Rural Health Day. The NIH Rural Health Special Interest Group (RH SIG) hosts the Rural Health Seminar as their main activity to stimulate multidisciplinary discussions to advance rural health research.

The NIH RH SIG works to raise awareness of rural health issues and improve biomedical, behavioral/social science, intervention and implementation research aimed at improving disease prevention, self-management, and care delivery across the care continuum. Our goal is to advance our understanding of rural health disparities and stimulate research to identify multi-level, evidence-based solutions to improve rural health outcomes. We connect translational, clinical, and community-based researchers from diverse disciplines throughout the NIH, to research communities, and decision makers. Among researchers, we also provide opportunities for professional development, networking, and community engagement.

Co-Sponsoring NIH Institutes and Centers

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Planning Committee

Priscah Mujuru DrPH, MPH, RN, NIMHD, Chair
Xinzhi Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., NHLBI, Co-Chair
Madhumita Sinha, M.D., NIDDK, Co-Chair
Diane Adger-Johnson, MPH, NIAID
Ligia Artiles, M.A., NIMHD
Michael Banyas, M.S., NIMHD
Sujata Bardhan, Ph.D., NICHD
Rick Berzon, DrPH, NIMHD
Behrous Davani, Ph.D., NIGMS
Brandin DeChabert, B.A. NIDA
Troy Dildine, B.A., NCCIH
Qi Duan, Ph.D., NIBIB
Andrew Eron, M.A., NIMHD
Melissa Green Parker, Ph.D., OD
Tanetta Isler, M.S., NCATS
Patricia Jones, DrPH, MPH, M.S., MBA, NIA
Lindsey Martin, Ph.D., NIEHS
Shelly Pollard, MBA, NIMHD
Antonello Punturieri, M.D., Ph.D., NHLBI