Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) Announces New Program Focused on Improving Rural Based Palliative Care
East Lansing, MI—The Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) has announced Phase Two of its palliative care programming. Palliative care provides relief from symptoms, pain, and stress associated with serious illnesses and can be administered alongside curative treatments. It is suitable for patients of any age or illness stage. The program titled "Cultivating Comfort: Enhancing Palliative Care in Rural Michigan," funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, will launch on January 1, 2025, and continue through December 2026.
The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance emphasizes that palliative care is "one of the most inequitable areas of healthcare." Most palliative care programs are primarily located in large urban hospitals, while rural community-based palliative care models remain underdeveloped. Rural adults tend to experience a higher prevalence of chronic conditions compared to their urban counterparts, as they are often older, poorer, and more likely to have multiple chronic illnesses. MCRH’s new program seeks to address this need through a community driven approach.
MCRH has chosen to work with Stratis Health, a longtime partner that has assisted over 40 rural communities with developing and implementing palliative care services. Key partners in this new program will include community organizations from five selected rural areas, chosen through a detailed Request for Applications (RFA) process for this rural-based palliative care initiative. Details on the RFA will be forthcoming shortly after the new year.
Amanda St. Martin, MCRH Hospital Programs Manager, noted that "MCRH started the Rural Palliative Care Advisory Council this year to address the unique challenges rural populations face in accessing quality palliative care. As the Council begins this new phase, we aim to work with participating organizations to establish sustainability and increase health literacy and equity in palliative care for its communities."
“Our office is grateful to have Stratis Health on board with their knowledge and expertise in developing palliative care programs in rural areas nationwide,” said MCRH Executive Director John Barnas. “This new phase will help inform participating Michigan organizations about this overlooked care option for its community residents and equip them with the tools to succeed.”
Along with educating and empowering the five participating organizations, the program's additional focus areas will include improving advance care planning, symptom management, communication, coordination, and care delivery to improve the quality of life and care for those with chronic or life-limiting illnesses.
To learn more about the Enhancing Palliative Care in Rural Michigan project and the progress of rural Michigan organizations involved, please contact Amanda St. Martin, MCRH Hospital Programs Manager (amanda.saintmartin@affiliate.msu.edu).