Inaugural Eastern States Rural Health Summit convened community leaders to address rural health gaps

ARLINGTON, VA, July 14, 2025, The American Heart Association hosted the inaugural Eastern States Rural Health Summit on June 13, 2025. Rural populations make up about 20% of the U.S. population, totaling approximately 60 million people. These communities are diverse but share common challenges in health access and outcomes. The summit elevated the unique health needs of rural populations, recognizing that these communities often face significant gaps in health outcomes due to individual, systemic, and social circumstances that impact health.  

Albert Pylinski Jr., corporate secretary and member of the Board of Directors of NYCM Insurance Company, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of ACIC Insurance Company and other subsidiaries of the NYCM Group, opened the summit. Pylinski introduced Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the Association. Dr. Sanchez shared professional insights on the complexity of rural health gaps. Association’s Eastern States Executive Vice President Kelly Grose provided an overview of the day's agenda. 

Breakout sessions showcased practical, community-driven solutions. Faculty members from the University of Buffalo presented their success in building a robust AED registry, while the University of Washington’s Rural Health Research Center highlighted new research in equitable health such as drone AED deliveries that have been implemented in Sweden. Meanwhile, leaders from Lewis County, NY, shared their blueprint for implementing county-wide public Wi-Fi, a critical step in improving digital access and healthcare connectivity in rural areas. 

During a listening session, participants reflected on the unique strengths and challenges of rural communities and  brainstormed health initiatives for rural areas. Building on previous listening tour sessions, three breakout groups, led by Association volunteers Bob Pepper, chair of the Association's Rural Health Collaborative; Steven Spencer, M.D., chief medical officer of Fidelis; Patrick Thomas, M.D., chief executive officer of Cortlandt-Peekskill Regional Paramedics; and Daniel Ireland, DHA, MBA, BSN, FACHE, executive vice president and chief nursing executive and patient care officer of Rochester Regional Health, gathered qualitative insights to inform future strategies. These sessions emphasized the importance of community voice in shaping effective, culturally responsive health interventions. 

Clancy Cash Harrison, registered dietitian, TEDx speaker and author, provided the keynote address. Through personal storytelling and data, she challenged attendees to rethink assumptions about hunger and health. Her message of “food dignity” encouraged participants to confront stigma, advocate for equitable food access and foster meaningful change within their organizations and communities. 

The afternoon concluded with panel discussions and breakout sessions that highlighted both policy changes and grassroots innovations. Association leaders discussed their multifaceted approach to rural health, while volunteers shared success stories from across the Eastern States region. Final sessions featured insights from AgriSafe, Virginia Tech and the Virginia Association for Free & Charitable Clinics, each offering actionable strategies to improve health outcomes in rural settings. 

The summit culminated in a shared commitment to the organization’s broader mission, as outlined in the Association’s Presidential Advisory on Rural Health. This advisory calls for urgent action to prioritize rural populations in health programming, research, and policy. As of 2016, poverty rates in rural counties averaged 18% compared with 17% in urban areas and 14% in suburban ones. Rural communities face higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality, driven by individual risk factors, gaps in health outcomes across different communities and systemic barriers in healthcare delivery. The advisory outlines solutions, including health system innovation, policy reform and targeted research. The summit echoed this call, reinforcing that improving rural health is essential to building a healthier future for everyone, everywhere. 

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