About NOSORH

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) was established in 1995 to assist State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) in their efforts to improve access to, and the quality of, health care for nearly 60 million rural Americans. NOSORH enhances the capacity of SORHs to do this by supporting the development of state and community rural health leaders; creating and facilitating state, regional and national partnerships that foster information sharing and spur rural health-related programs/activities; and enhancing access to quality healthcare services in rural communities.

• Board of Directors/Executive Committee
• Staff

Mission Statement

NOSORH promotes the capacity of SORH to improve health care in rural America through leadership development, advocacy, education and partnerships.

Purpose

• Support the development of state and community leadership for rural health
• Facilitate partnerships at the national and state levels to enhance sharing and collaboration
• Help communities promote a healthy rural America through enhanced access to quality healthcare services

State Offices of Rural Health

All 50 states have a SORH. These offices vary in size, scope, organization, and in services and resources they provide. Most are organized within the state health departments, but some are located in universities or not-for-profit organizations.

The general purpose of each SORH is to help their individual rural communities build healthcare delivery systems. While funding levels and sources also vary, every state receives a portion of their funding from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy through the SORH Grant program, begun in 1991. With this grant, a SORH is expected to:

• Collect and disseminate information
• Coordinate rural healthcare activities in states in order to avoid duplication
• Provide technical assistance to public and non-profit private entities

State Office of Rural Health Factsheet