Rural people lose more days of school and work due to illness than do urban people; have higher infant mortality rates, and have more work-related injuries, all of which are aggravated by lack of access to or even the absence of medical services. Lack of doctors is the most glaring problem (in 1973 there were 138 U.S. counties which had no physician). Other rural health problems include farming injuries (the third most hazardous occupation) and inadequate or unsanitary water supply and disposal systems (according to a 1969-70 study, 30,000 rural communities need new or improved water systems). Recent legislative attempts to redress rural health problems have been less than successful (i.e., the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973 which earmarked only 20 percent of its funds for rural areas, even though slated for high priority). Examination of a recent survey comparing urban and rural Federal health allocations reveals an urban bias. In view of these problems, consideration should be given to: (1) paraprofessional programs, (2) mobile health delivery systems, (3) self-help programs, (4) networks of clinics created around a hospital center, and, especially (5) to a Federal commitment that will create special rural health programs and redress the current imbalance in Federal allocations. (JC)