Papers contained in the volume, apart from the introduction and final chapter, were prepared for a 1979 conference on "Research and Public Service with the Rural Elderly," held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the Western Gerontological Society. Developed with an intent toward building a stronger emphasis on research and public service in western United States, the papers include: "Research with the Rural Elderly: A National Perspective" by Edward O. Moe; "Elderly People in Rural America" by Marie L. Lassey, William R. Lassey, and Gary R. Lee; "Research-Based Programs for the Rural Elderly" by Raymond T. Coward; "Needs Assessment Among Older Rural Americans in the West," John E. Kushman and James Fujii; "Alcohol Use Among the Rural Elderly in Arizona" by Victor A. Christopherson; "Rural-Urban Residence and Aging: Directions for Future Research," Gary R. Lee and Marie L. Lassey; "Research Priorities Concerning the Rural Elderly" by William R. Lassey, Marie L. Lassey, Gary R. Lee, and Naomi Lee. A list of conference participants is appended. (AH)