Source: HealthITAnalytics
Title: Rural Health Disparities Linked to Socioeconomic Status, Care Access
Date Published: February 5, 2020
STEEP Categories: Social, Economic
Link: https://healthitanalytics.com/news/rural-health-disparities-linked-to-socioeconomic-status-care-access
Brief Description: Since the 1980's, researchers have studied every rural and urban area in the U.S. and observed there being higher mortality rates among rural towns/communities. Within this research, they determined that the five drivers for this disparity is socioeconomic deprivation, lack of health insurance, access to primary care physicians, percentage of racial minorities and the population of residents.
Future Implications: Researchers indicated that rural residents would have a longer life expectancy if their socioeconomic conditions and access to health care were similar to individuals residing in urban communities. This can be possible through the expansion of health care coverage and the implementation of programs within these rural areas that can help ensure the residents have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.
Overall Effect: This data confirms a baseline scenario that health disparities is highly recognized as a threat to overall quality of health for the nation's population. In order to combat this threat, there needs to be a transformation in the health care system that eliminates clinical uncertainty, bias and prejudice.
Impact (0-5): 5
Plausibility (0-5): 5
Novelty: (0-5): 1
Timeliness (0-5): 3
