Rural Americans are dying younger, living less healthy lives, report reveals
A study from the University of Southern California indicates rural Americans have shorter lifespans and poorer health than urban residents, primarily due to chronic diseases, smoking, and obesity.
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A recent study from the University of Southern California reveals that rural Americans are experiencing shorter lifespans and poorer health compared to their urban counterparts. The research highlights a significant health divide, particularly among older adults, with rural men facing a health-adjusted life expectancy of 15.7 years after age 60, compared to 17.5 years for urban men. For women, the gap is smaller, with rural women expected to live 18.7 quality-adjusted years versus 19.3 for urban women. The study attributes these disparities to higher rates of chronic diseases, smoking, and obesity in rural populations, compounded by limited access to healthcare. Over the past two decades, while urban health outcomes have improved, rural health has stagnated, raising concerns about the future of healthcare in these communities. The researchers suggest that addressing smoking and obesity, along with managing chronic conditions, could improve health outcomes. They emphasize the need for early interventions and broader social and economic improvements in rural areas to close the health gap. The study utilized a computer model to project health trajectories based on real-world data, revealing that even among similarly educated individuals, rural residents still lag behind urban peers in health-adjusted life expectancy.
- Rural Americans are living shorter and less healthy lives than urban residents.
- The health-adjusted life expectancy gap has widened over the past two decades.
- Higher rates of chronic diseases, smoking, and obesity contribute to poorer health in rural areas.
- Urban health outcomes have improved, while rural health has stagnated.
- Early interventions and broader improvements are needed to address the urban-rural health gap.
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6 commentsConsider that cardiovascular issues are one of the leading causes of death in the US. Time is of the essence. If your local hospital has been closed, your emergency services have been consolidated in your county, you're much more likely to be DOA than someone in the city.
Also, didn't the opioid crises primarily occurred in rural areas? That's going to affect the stats, too.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Appalachia/comments/vizs8f/it_blows...
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