Patients who suffer traumatic injury face disparities throughout the continuum of trauma care in the United States. For the 96 percent of patients who survive their initial hospitalization, post-discharge care, rehabilitation and ongoing outpatient therapy needs remain a significant barrier to full recovery and return to work. Rural trauma patients face additional challenges due to limited access to specialized services, geographic barriers and socioeconomic factors including lower baseline income levels and higher rates of uninsurance. Furthermore, data on the long-term outcomes of rural trauma patients including physical, mental, functional and financial outcomes is extremely limited. Despite the fact that nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, rural patients are substantially underrepresented in studies of trauma survivorship. Addressing these disparities in post-trauma recovery will require interventions targeted to the specific needs and priorities of rural patients.