In Nebraska, we are highly aware of disparities between rural and urban areas. Persons living in rural areas have less access to healthcare, have lower rates of vaccination, and have a more difficult time to access many experts and resources to support school health than their urban counterparts may.

The funding for this book was provided through a grant the Nebraska Chapter AAP received through the American Academy of Pediatrics Managing Infectious Diseases in Schools Chapter Innovation Grant. This grant provided funding for compilation, printing and distribution of this handbook to rural schools with the intent of reducing rural health disparities.