Our Young People
The future health care professionals of rural West Texas are currently sitting in classrooms across the region. The people who are most likely to choose to live and work in rural communities are from rural communities. 
The F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health recognizes the importance of planting seeds early in a child's life for dreams of careers that can bring them back home. Careers in health care are one of the primary opportunities available.
Equally as important as planting seeds are helping those dreams grow into reality.
Almost one-quarter of the children in West Texas live in poverty. It is often hard for these young people to consider the possibility of opportunities of advanced traiing or college careers beyond high school for career development. While 38 % of the population in West Texas is Hispanic, 52 % of the population age 0 to 17 is Hispanic. Steve Murdock, the Texas state demographer, projects that the future of Texas hinges on the future of these young Hispanics and other young non-Anglo populations.
| Percent Hispanic Population by Region, 2000. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Region | Hispanic Population, All Ages | Hispanic Population, Age 0-17 |
| West Texas Non Border | 22.9 | 41.8 |
| Far West Texas/Border | 79.2 | 84.5 |
| South Texas Border | 66.1 | 74.3 |
| Texas | 32.0 | 40.7 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census.
According to Murdock's report, The Texas Challenge, these young people must pursue advanced education opportunities to move into the skilled technical and professional workforce, so the state will experience continued labor force growth and improve its competitive advantage. If these young people do not become part of the skilled labor force, for whatever reason, then the state will see a decline in its industry and economic base and will, instead, see an increase in the utilization of public services that will further strain the economy.