The association's mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues, which it attempts to carry out through education, communication, and advocacy.

The NRHA membership is made up of a diverse collection of individuals and organizations, all of whom share the common bond of an interest in rural health.

In 1978, the National Rural Primary Care Association (NRPCA) was founded and based in Waterville, Maine.

[3] In the early 1980s two additional rural health associations were formed with similar desires to represent the rural-specific needs within their larger professional groups.

In doing so, the association moved past its mainly community health center roots and allowed other providers as segments of its membership.