TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Rural Alabama Area Health Education Center (RAAHEC), based at The University of Alabama, will hold a board meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. in conference room A of DCH Regional Medical Center.

Congressman Artur Davis (D-AL) will deliver the keynote address. His topic will be “The State of Rural Health.”

RAAHEC was founded in 1998. It is a multi-discipline, community-based program that strives to improve the distribution and quality of health care personnel in the rural and medically underserved areas of West Alabama. One way the Center does that is by collaborating with community and university partners, especially through the community and rural health medical programs at The University of Alabama.

RAAHEC also disseminates information on various health issues, plans health fairs and assists with the recruitment of students into health related careers within the 10 counties that comprise the district.

“One of the most pressing issues remains the shortage of rural primary care physicians and other supporting healthcare providers across rural Alabama,” said Dr. Judy Taylor, executive director of RAAHEC. “Many rural Alabamians delay seeking health care longer than their urban counterparts, thus contributing to an increase in morbidity and premature mortality.”

RAAHEC is made up of a 10-county area including Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Walker and Winston counties. In addition to Davis, state legislators Gerald Allen, Robert Bentley, Allen Layson, Bryant Melton and Bobby Singleton are expected to participate. The governor’s office, other state and federal legislators and mayors have been invited, as well.