DOCUMENT RESUME

This paper explores the broad definition of health in the rural context and relates it to policy, practice, and pedagogical challenges in providing access to services in rural areas. Historically, policy, practice, and teaching institutions have supported a dependency model for health service delivery, forcing rural communities to rely on urban-oriented health policy, urban-based training models, corporate or large bureaucratic service delivery structures, and specialized care incentives not easily supportable in sparsely populated areas. In New Mexico, the percentage of population over 65 in nonmetropolitan areas is 14.1 percent. Additionally, there is a 32 percent difference in income between urban and rural people in New Mexico. These retiree and income statistics translate to a lack of tax base and political voice for rural populations compared to their urban counterparts. Rura