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The Rural Health Symposium: Advancing Rural Health Through Research, Policy, and Community Partnerships, held May 7-8 in Hanover, New Hampshire, served as an essential convening point for researchers, policymakers, health care professionals and community leaders dedicated to advancing rural health through research, policy and community partnerships. Hosted by Dartmouth Health, the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, and the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, the two-day event explored innovative strategies to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities.

Vasan Ramachandran, MD, FAHA, Dean of the , delivered the symposium’s pleanary speech. The presentation, titled “Cardiovascular Health Disparities in Rural United States: Causes and Solutions,” shed light on the significant disparities in health care between rural and urban settings—a pressing issue that the symposium aimed to address.

Ramachandran presented findings from the Study, which has been instrumental in identifying key factors contributing to poorer cardiovascular health outcomes in rural areas. The study revealed that rural residents often face limited access to specialized care, fewer health care facilities, and a shortage of health care providers compared to their urban counterparts. These factors contribute to higher rates of cardiovascular diseases, delayed diagnoses and lower survival rates in rural communities.