According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans living in rural areas are at a higher risk of death from some of the nation’s leading causes (like heart disease and unintentional injury) compared to those living in urban areas.
Risk factors for rural Americans include older age; higher rates of smoking, high blood pressure and obesity; higher rates of poverty and limited access to healthcare facilities. To address these gaps in healthcare, it is especially important for healthcare providers and community partners in rural health areas to develop community health programs, screen for blood pressure and promote healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
“This new study shows there is a striking gap in health between rural and urban Americans,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “To close this gap, we are working to better understand and address the health threats that put rural Americans at increased risk of early death.”
The CDC issued a press release, Rural Americans at higher risk of death from five leading causes. Click here to access the release.
Read more about health and rural Americans in the following resources as well as tools to assist with community programs and health-related resources:
Rural Community Health Toolkit – Provides rural communities with the information, resources and materials needed to develop a community health program in a rural community.