Rural Public Health Training Plan: Strengthening Skills for Health Professionals in Rural Communities

The Rural Public Health Training Plan is designed to equip public health professionals with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to serve rural communities more effectively. Developed to address the distinct challenges and opportunities that define rural public health, this training plan emphasizes strong leadership, clear communication, and meaningful collaboration with local partners. All courses are self-paced, web-based, and offer free continuing education (CE) credits, allowing participants to advance their professional skills while supporting stronger public health systems.

Participants who complete the full training sequence receive a certificate of completion, further enhancing their professional development. The initiative aligns with the commitment of the CDC’s Office of Rural Health to strengthen the rural public health workforce through accessible, high-quality training resources.

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What the Rural Public Health Training Plan Covers

The training plan provides a broad foundation in rural public health and includes five major topic areas:

• Introduction to Rural Public Health
• Partnering with Rural Communities for Public Health Communications
• Risk Management in Rural Communities
• Leadership Skills
• Conflict Resolution

Each course explores critical factors that shape health outcomes in rural areas, highlighting both longstanding challenges and community strengths that support effective health interventions.

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Course 1: Introduction to Rural Public Health (WB4981)

Format: Web-based, self-study (2 hours)
Skill Level: Introductory

This foundational course offers a comprehensive overview of rural public health in the United States. Participants learn how “rural” is defined, examine the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of rural communities, and explore the systems, structures, and partnerships that influence health service delivery.

Learning objectives include:

• Understanding definitions and classifications of rural communities
• Recognizing how community strengths can inform rural health solutions
• Identifying public health systems that support service delivery
• Understanding the importance of interprofessional collaboration

The course features presentations by experienced researchers and public health professionals from NORC at the University of Chicago, East Tennessee State University, and other leading institutions. Participants must complete the course, pass a post-assessment, and submit an evaluation to earn CE credits.

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Courses on Partnering With Rural Communities (WD4995, WD4996, WD4997, WD4998)

A four-lesson series helps learners strengthen communication and partnership skills essential to rural public health work.

Lesson 1: Building Relationships (WD4995)

This course focuses on why collaboration with rural communities is essential for effective public health communication. Participants learn strategies for active listening, building trust, and forming sustainable partnerships. A companion workbook supports engagement with course content.

Lesson 2: Building an Initial Communications Strategy (WD4996)

Building on Lesson 1, this course guides participants through designing an initial communications strategy tailored to rural needs. The training emphasizes collaborative planning, community input, and practical strategy development.

Lesson 3: Developing Messaging (WD4997)

This lesson strengthens competencies in determining communication priorities, engaging diverse audiences, and refining messages in partnership with community members. It supports professionals in adapting communication approaches to diverse rural contexts.

Lesson 4: Disseminating Messaging (WD4998)

The final lesson explores methods for disseminating messages collaboratively and transparently. Participants learn how to share ownership with communities, build trust, and support informed decision-making that enhances health outcomes.

All four lessons offer CE credits and require completion of assessments and evaluations.

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Course 5: Rural Communities Responding to Public Health Emergencies (WB4979)

Format: Web-based, self-study (3 hours)
Skill Level: Introductory

This course addresses the gap in formal rural public health training across the U.S. It focuses on risk management, emergency preparedness, and crisis communication in rural settings. Participants learn how to assess local hazards, apply risk-management tools, strengthen their networks, and practice shared leadership to build resilient communities.

Key learning outcomes include:

• Identifying risks faced by rural communities
• Applying risk assessments to prioritize hazards
• Expanding local emergency networks
• Strengthening crisis communication skills
• Recognizing shared leadership as a tool for community resilience

CE credits are provided jointly by the CDC, Cornell University, and Health Impacts Core.

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Building a Stronger Rural Public Health Workforce

Through a combination of foundational knowledge, practical strategies, and leadership-focused learning, the Rural Public Health Training Plan offers a comprehensive pathway for public health professionals committed to serving rural communities. With accessible, no-cost training and continuing education opportunities, the program helps build a more prepared, skilled, and collaborative public health workforce across the United States.

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The course registration link can be accessed from here.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.