Why Rural Health Matters
West Texas plays a significant role in the daily lives of most Americans as a primary source of food, fuel, and fiber. West Texas is home to major beef and pork production, including some of the largest cattle feedlots and to the top producing oil and gas fields in the country; and the region serves as a prominent source for agriculture. The State of Texas provides to the country 30% of the beef, 20% of the oil, 20% of the peanuts and 35% of the cotton-much of that production from West Texas. 
However, the fact remains that with a declining and aging workforce; a strained rural health care system; and far reaching health disparities in West Texas, the predominant economies of oil, agriculture and ranching will be affected. Without an adequate and healthy workforce for these industries, the entire nation can be affected particularly in light of concerns about the nation's food supply, as well as the production and availability of foreign oil and the status of various international trade agreements. 
Another significant element of West Texas is the fact that the changing demography is actually a precursor of what is to come in many other rural regions of the country. The growing trends of a more elderly and minority population have already been predominant in West Texas for several years. The same trends noted here 10 to 15 years ago are beginning to emerge in much of rural America where the population is becoming more diverse. 
As major cities in Texas continue to face issues of urban density, traffic congestion, crime, school challenges, rising taxes and other such issues, rural West Texas will have a growing attraction for residents and businesses seeking elbow room. Economic development professionals are quick to point out that rural West Texas generally affords a lower cost of living, lower taxes and a more cost effective workforce. And with the reality of modern communications technology, many businesses can function from anywhere. The availability of health services in rural areas will be a primary determinant of whether or not this potential growth takes place.