Rural Health Concerns

Around 15% of people in the United States live in rural areas. There are many different reasons why you might choose to live in a rural community. You may want a lower cost of living and a slower pace of life. You may enjoy having access to big, open spaces for recreation. Rural areas are less crowded and can offer more privacy. You may choose a rural area so that you can live near your family and friends.

But there are also challenges to living in a rural area, including when it comes to taking care of your health. Compared to urban areas, rural communities tend to have:

• Higher poverty rates.
• A higher percentage of older adults, who are more likely to have chronic health problems.
• More residents without health insurance.
• Less access to health care. For example, clinics and hospitals may be far away.
• Higher rates of certain substance use, such as cigarette smoking and opioid and methamphetamine misuse.
• Higher rates of chronic health problems such as high blood pressure and obesity.
• More exposure to environmental hazards, such as chemicals used for farming.

There are solutions to deal with these problems. A few examples include:

• Clinics offering telehealth to provide care for people who live far away from specialists or can't easily get to their providers' offices.
• Local public health agencies working with their communities to promote healthy living. They can provide wellness and exercise classes and start a farmer's market.
• Local governments adding bike lanes and trails to encourage people to bike and walk.
• Rural schools can offer counseling and mental health services for their students.

Questions for your care team

General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.

• How does this information apply to my situation?
• Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
• Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
• What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
• When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
• When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?