The Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing continues the work of the Centre for Rural Health (CRH) and the previously established Highlands and Islands Health Research Institute (HIHRI) in 2004. Since 2005, CRH has operated as a collaborative venture between the University of Aberdeen, and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), both institutions providing core funding and employing staff within CRH. Our mission is to advance knowledge of health and health services in rural and remote communities. Those communities currently face a number of important challenges including: changes in demography; changes in the nature of health care provision; and increased expectations of the community. CRH is developing the evidence base for rural health care by: carrying out relevant primary research; developing collaborative research with social scientists, geographers and policy researchers; and bringing the international perspective through appropriate collaborations.