Iowa is a national leader in rural public health research. The UI College of Public Health, home to research hubs like the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health and the Prevention Research Center for Rural Health, is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of rural Iowans—on the farm, at work, and on the roadway.

Rural residents face significant health disparities, including higher cancer rates and limited access to obstetric and mental health care. That’s why UI Health Care and its statewide network of clinics and community partners are vital for Iowa’s health. “We have a clear mission to serve 3.2 million Iowans across 99 counties,” says Denise Jamieson, vice president for medical affairs and dean of the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

UI partnerships help rural communities thrive. Each year, students, faculty, and staff collaborate with towns on an array of municipal-improvement projects through the Initiative for Sustainable Communities. At the same time, the next generation of community journalists get on-the-job experiences through The Daily Iowan’s new partnership with two small-town newspapers.

The UI trains the next generation of professionals, providing a solid foundation for Iowa’s workforce and economy. Students from all 99 counties come to Iowa City for undergraduate and postgraduate education, and proud alumni make their homes in every corner of the Hawkeye State as health care workers, lawyers, pharmacists, and more.