Across this series, we’ve explored the stories told about rural communities. This episode examines how rural health is framed — and what those narratives reveal about who belongs, who gets overlooked, and who gets blamed. Sociolinguist Julie Sweetland of the FrameWorks Institute explains how language shapes public understanding of health, responsibility, and community, and why changing the story can change what solutions people believe are possible.

Learn more: Read FrameWorks Institute’s work on rural health framing, including Reframing Health Disparities in Rural America, Talking about Health Disparities in Rural Contexts, and Julie Sweetland’s writing and presentations on public health, language, and narrative change.

“Send Rural Narratives a message”

Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at http://www.narrativearts.org.