How to develop well-being programming in rural and underserved areas
By Tim Mertz
When it comes to rural, underserved areas, few are more remote than Bethel, Alaska. Located 400 miles west of Anchorage—40 miles off the coast of the Bering Sea—the region is only reachable by plane or boat.
Fewer than 20 miles of roads are paved. Many residents do not have flush toilets. And houses and buildings are on stilts due to the tundra and permafrost. Yes, Bethel is about as remote as it gets.
It’s also underserved when it comes to well-being programs. Suicide rates are high in Bethel, as is substance abuse. Many residents do not know how to swim, and awareness of modern health initiatives generally lag behind, compared to those of the lower 48.