On August 6, 2026, the Library for Health Information (LHI) participated in the 2026 Ohio Rural Health Conference in Wooster, OH. Kerry Dhakal, MAA, MLIS, Joe Payne, MLIS, and Judith Wiener, MA, MLIS, shared research on the new Health Sciences Library (HSL) LibGuide, which focuses on providing rural health to the community.
The Ohio Rural Health Association hosts this annual event, bringing together more than 300 healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, community leaders and students — all dedicated to improving rural health across the state.
As a Partner Outreach Program (POP) library, the LHI connects healthcare professionals and community members with cost-free clinical and consumer health information resources. Judith, associate director for collections and outreach at the HSL, shared information about the library’s rural health initiatives and outreach resources.
“According to the Wexner Medical Center, rural health care is vital to Ohio because more than 2.3 million residents in rural and Appalachian counties face significant health disparities. This includes a 15% higher risk of dying before age 75 compared with residents in urban areas,” said Judith. “Conferences such as this annual gathering of rural health professionals are critical for sharing ideas and best practices, as well as fostering collaboration across Ohio’s 83 rural-majority counties and beyond.”
During the conference’s poster session, the HSL highlighted its new Rural Health Resource Guide, a LibGuide that was developed as part of the HSL’s strategic focus on rural health. It serves as a central hub for rural health information and resources for healthcare providers and patients. In addition to the guide, Kerry, Judy and Joe shared the free government resources for patients and clinicians, which are available through the Network of the National Library of Medicine. These resources are especially valuable by providing free, easy-to-understand consumer health information to patients and the broader community, which directly aligns with the LHI’s mission. Many conference attendees were able to explore the guide and provide feedback to help ensure the resource continues to meet the needs of Ohio’s rural health community.
Do you have questions about healthcare in rural Ohio? Email the LHI at health-info@osu.edu, including as many details with your question as you can for assistance.
