PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL AREAS HAVE ONLY ONE-HALF THE ACCESS PER PERSON TO DOCTORS, DENTISTS, AND OTHER HEALTH RESOURCES THAT URBAN DWELLERS HAVE. THIS IS COMPOUNDED BY--(1) THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE HEALTH SERVICES, (2) LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, (3) LACK OF COMMUNICATION, AND (4) LACK OF HEALTH SERVICES, PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. ONE METHOD OF PROVIDING BETTER HEALTH SERVICES HAS BEEN TO TRAIN NON-PROFESSIONAL HEALTH AIDES TO TEACH GOOD HEALTH PRACTICES. AN ATTEMPT TO ATTRACT PHYSICIANS TO RURAL AREAS INVOLVES COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF A PROGRAM TO CONSTRUCT A RURAL HEALTH CENTER. THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A PROJECT TO RECRUIT PHYSICIANS IN GROUPS, BY ESTABLISHING A STRONG TIE-IN BETWEEN A RURAL CLINIC AND A UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, AND BY ENCOURAGING LOCAL COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE OF THE PHYSICIANS' FAMILIES. OTHER RURAL HEALTH PROBLEMS REMAINING TO BE SOLVED INCLUDE THE PROVISION FOR SAFE WATER SUPPLIES AND ADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, COORDINATION OF VARIOUS AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES, AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF MIGRANTS. THIS SPEECH WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (SF)