ABSTRACT
Rural living is complex, dynamic, and intertwined with impacts from local actors as well as policies and practices imposed from beyond the rural context. This chapter discusses the complex nature of the challenges and the opportunities for healthy living and well-being in rural contexts. Rural living can be appealing for those for whom it may afford a higher quality of life, while some rural dwellers may contend with greater challenges, than their urban counterparts, in accessing health services and may contend with lower incomes or lower health status. Efforts to address concerns in rural health and well-being then would necessarily consider systems perspectives. To harness the opportunities and to mitigate the challenges in achieving greater rural health and well-being strategies might blend components that are technical, cultural, political, social, ethical, economic, historical, and environmental in nature. Health policies and practices might benefit from a focus on social inclusion, economic stability, human and environmental health, climate change mitigation, and enhancing personal well-being and vitality. A geographic interpretation of rural is adopted: rural areas are defined by their spatial characteristics and are typified by relatively long distances to access markets and services, as well as relatively low population density. Examples from diverse rural settings of vibrant rural living inform our recommendations to enhance well-being.
