THE HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH NEEDS OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES AND OF RURAL MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR ARE SUMMARIZED. SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR IMPROVING HEALTH SERVICES. ILLUSTRATIVE DATA RATHER THAN A COMPLETE REVIEW OF PERTINENT LITERATURE ARE PRESENTED. MORTALITY RATES AMONG CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND PREGNANT WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS ARE HIGHER THAN ARE THOSE IN URBAN AREAS. THE QUALITY OF HOSPITAL CARE OF MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IS POORER IN RURAL AREAS. THE AMOUNTS OF MEDICAL AND OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN IN RURAL FARM FAMILIES ARE LOWER THAN FOR URBAN FAMILIES. PREVENTIVE DENTAL HEALTH MEASURES ARE FOUND LESS OFTEN IN RURAL AREAS. THERE IS NEED FOR INCREASED SAFETY EDUCATION AMONG FARMERS, FOR THE ACCIDENT RATE IN FARMING IS THE THIRD HIGHEST OF ALL MAJOR INDUSTRIES. DIETS OF SOME ADOLESCENTS, PARTICULARLY GIRLS, AND OF SOME PREGNANT WOMEN ARE INADEQUATE WHEN MEASURED BY RECOMMENDED STANDARDS. DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE STATES OF SERVICES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN UNEVEN, AND URBAN HANDICAPPED CHILDREN ARE SERVICED BETTER THAN RURAL HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. SPECIAL PROBLEMS RELATED TO MIGRANT CHILDREN ARE POOR HOUSING, LACK OF ADEQUATE HEALTH OR SANITATION FACILITIES, NO DAY CARE PROGRAMS, LACK OF SUPERVISION WHILE PARENTS ARE WORKING, HUNGER, AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW TO SECURE PROPER CARE. SPECIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH AMERICAN INDIAN MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ARE TUBERCULOSIS, VENERAL DISEASES, TRACHOMA, VISION AND HEARING IMPAIRMENT, ANEMIA, AND, AMONG CERTAIN TRIBES, CONGENITAL HIP DISLOCATION. HEALTH SERVICES NEED TO INCREASE TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASING BIRTH RATES. SUGGESTIONS GIVEN FOR IMPROVING HEALTH SERVICES TO RURAL MOTHERS AND CHILDREN ARE--MORE FUNDS, MORE TRAINED PERSONNEL, AND CONTINUATION OF SOUND PLANNING AT STATE AND REGIONAL LEVELS.