WHEREAS, rural communities in Alaska are great places to live, work and volunteer and the health and well-being of our citizens are of utmost importance to our State; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Alaska had a population of 733,391 in 2020, with approximately 240,000 people living in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, rural Alaska communities often face accessibility issues, healthcare provider shortages, transportation barriers, an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of underinsured citizens; and
WHEREAS, our rural communities are resilient and resourceful and are a great place for health professionals to deliver essential health services and for communities to lead the way in developing innovative and sustainable models of care; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Office of Healthcare Access serves as the voice of rural residents by providing training, education, and technical assistance for rural providers, hospitals, and other essential services for residents throughout the state of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, National Rural Health Day, founded by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, serves as a reminder of the unique needs that rural communities face in accessing healthcare services; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is actively pursuing a transformative federal opportunity through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, which if awarded, will support innovative, community-led solutions to improve healthcare access, strengthen the rural health workforce, and build sustainable systems of care across Alaska’s rural and frontier regions.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim November 20, 2025, as:
Rural Health Day
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to join me in celebrating the “Power of Rural” and recognizing the contributions of healthcare providers, organizations, and other stakeholders serving rural areas.
Dated: November 20, 2025
