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Rural Health
News by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Nov 13, 2024 - Provides overview of recent research on rural medical debt. Notes that rural residents are more likely than urban residents to have problems paying medical bills, and identifies gender and racial disparities within rural survey respondents. Discusses the potential impacts of medical debt on the viability of rural hospitals.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Nov 11, 2024 - Highlights research finding that cardiovascular disease deaths have increased for rural adults between 2010 and 2020. The study analyzed death certificate data for over 11 million people from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WONDER database. Discusses the impact of COVID-19 on already existing cardiovascular health outcomes on rural and urban populations. Notes possible solutions for reducing the disparity.
Source: American Heart Association Newsroom
Oct 11, 2024 - Presents overview of data from the Census Bureau's Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) program on North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Notes that 10 of the 27 counties under a major disaster declaration are predominantly rural; 20.2% of individuals living in the affected counties are classified by the CRE as having a high degree of social vulnerability to disasters. Explores CRE data on factors contributing to high social vulnerability in the affected counties, including age, disability, and housing quality.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Sep 25, 2024 - Provides an overview of recent research showing widening disparities in life expectancy and health quality for rural and urban men near retirement age. Discusses possible contributing factors including higher rates of smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions among rural men. Notes expected challenges for rural communities as residents age and provider shortages persist.
Source: USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics