Reflections on Rural Health in Essex County

It has been a very neat experience to study the health network and delivery system in a county that I have grown to love since childhood. The Adirondacks have always been very special to me and I have always seen myself living there in the future. This project has presented many aspects of rural health in Essex County that I had never considered. It has strengthened my convictions to live there and take a part in the community so that I can improve many aspects of rural health.

One of the things that I found my shocking about Essex County was the obesity rate. I naively assumed that the people who lived in the Adirondacks were the active, "outdoorsy" type. However, this isn't necessarily the case. The County Health Department Director told me that those are the kind of people who come to visit the Adirondacks. The permanent residents who live are not vacationers, they are blue-collar residents who struggle to make a living in difficult economic times. I did not realize how strong the correlation was between lower socioeconomic status and poorer health. Not only can people of lower socioeconomic status not afford healthcare as much, they also tend to be less educated. In many instances, this population lacks the education about certain preventive practices and habits to lead a health life. This all translates into poorer health that is then only compounded when access is limited in a rural community. 

I have a great passion for physical fitness, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. I also love to teach so I can see myself playing an educational and motivational role as a physician in a rural community. This project has opened my eyes to many aspects of health that I did not know existed. It has further motivated me to pursue a career and life in a rural community like Essex where I can help to make a difference in people's lives.