PlaceBased Expands Rural Health Education Network to Reach Underserved Communities Nationwide

Minneapolis, MN — 1/15/26 — PlaceBased, a national leader in community-based public health education, today announced a major expansion of its Rural Health Education Network, adding more than 22,000 new locations across all 50 states to increase access to trusted health information in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

The expanded network strengthens PlaceBased's ability to deliver culturally relevant, locally grounded public health messaging in areas where traditional media channels often fall short. Through partnerships with community-based venues such as rural clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, schools, libraries, and other high-traffic locations, the network ensures critical health information reaches residents in rural areas that have historically been underserved by mainstream health communications.

"Rural communities face unique barriers when it comes to accessing timely, accurate health information," said Cody Cagnina, Managing Director at PlaceBased. "This expansion allows us to meet people where they are—inside trusted community spaces—while supporting public health agencies with scalable, measurable, and highly targeted education campaigns."

The Rural Health Education Network supports a wide range of public health initiatives, including preventive care and wellness education, maternal and family health resources, healthcare workforce, behavioral health and crisis support, substance use prevention and harm reduction, and emergency preparedness and public safety awareness.

By combining static displays and digital screens with location-specific targeting, PlaceBased helps public health organizations reach priority audiences with consistent messaging across rural geographies—without relying on broadband access or digital literacy.

The expansion also reflects growing demand from state and local health departments seeking alternatives to traditional media buys. PlaceBased's model offers transparent reporting, proof-of-performance, and flexible campaign structures that align with public sector budgets and timelines.

"With this expansion, we can now reach rural communities in every state in the country," added Cagnina. "That's 22,000 more places where a parent might learn about life-saving healthcare resources, or someone in crisis might see a number to call for help."

The expanded Rural Health Education Network is now available for campaigns nationwide, with customizable options based on geography, audience, and public health objectives.

About PlaceBased — PlaceBased is a national place-based out-of-home media company specializing in public health, education, and social impact campaigns. Through a proprietary network of community venues, PlaceBased helps government agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations deliver trusted messages at the point of care and in everyday community settings.