This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged 18-64 Years Who Did Not Get or Delayed Medical Care in the Past Year Because of Cost, by Type of Locality - National Health Interview Survey, 2012-2014
Chart showing the percentage of adults living in metropolitan compared to nonmetropolitan areas who delayed seeking or obtaining medical care because of worry about cost.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 64(44),1259
Date: 11/2015
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
view details
Current Contraceptive Use and Variation by Selected Characteristics Among Women Aged 15-44: United States, 2011-2013
Describes patterns of contraceptive use among women of childbearing age who are currently using contraception, by social and demographic characteristics. Table 5 provides 2011-2013 and 2002 data by place of residence for metropolitan and non-metro areas.
Author(s): Kimberly Daniels, Jill Daugherty, Jo Jones, William Mosher
Date: 11/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
view details
Which Rural and Urban Hospitals Have Received Readmission Penalties Over Time?
Evaluates the rural-urban differences in the proportion of hospitals that receive penalties under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Readmission Reduction Program, and compares the specific health condition risk-adjusted readmission rates by rural and urban location. Analyzes characteristics of hospitals receiving readmission penalties.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
view details
Beyond Rural Walls: Identifying Impacts and Interdependencies Among Rural and Urban Spaces - A Survey of Literature
Discusses the economic benefits of broadband distribution and usage in business, education, healthcare, and public safety in rural and urban areas. Describes the interdependencies between rural and urban broadband, and the impact of rural broadband utilization on urban areas.
Author(s): Joshua Seidemann
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
view details
Mortality and Life Expectancy in Rural America: Connecting the Health and Human Service Safety Nets to Improve Health Outcomes over the Life Course
Policy brief describing the driving forces behind rural health disparities in Appalachian Kentucky. Offers nationally relevant recommendations for addressing these challenges. Discusses rural and urban differences in life expectancy and mortality rates, and other significant factors including behavioral health, substance abuse, population health, trauma care, and transportation.
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
view details
Perceived Ease of Access to Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Substances in Rural and Urban US Students
Examines differences in perceived ease of access to both legal and illegal substances for adolescents in rural and urban areas of Georgia. Provides statistics with breakdowns by substance, rural/urban, and middle versus high school students.
Author(s): Jacob Warren, K. Bryant Smalley, K. Nikki Barefoot
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(4), 3397
Date: 10/2015
view details
Implications of Rural Residence and Single Mother Status for Maternal Smoking Behaviors
Reports on a study using survey data to analyze and compare smoking behaviors of rural and urban mothers, both single and married, to determine if there is a relationship between prevalence of smoking, rurality, and single mother status.
Author(s): Jean A. Talbot, Donald Szlosek, Erika C. Ziller
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
view details
Rural Adolescents Are More Likely Than Their Urban Peers to Abuse Prescription Painkillers
Provides an overview of the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse by adolescents in small towns and in rural areas of the U.S., and emphasizes the urgency with which this epidemic should be addressed.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Khary K. Rigg
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details
Comparison of Rates of Emergency Department Procedures and Critical Diagnoses in Metropolitan and Rural Hospitals
Compares experiences of emergency physicians practicing in rural and urban emergency departments to determine differences in the rates of selected procedures and critical diagnoses. Addresses the potential implications for rural emergency department rotations.
Author(s): James Waymack, Stephen Markwell, Joseph Milbrandt, Ted R. Clark
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(4), 3298
Date: 10/2015
view details
Obesity and Obesity-Related Behaviors Among Rural and Urban Adults in the USA
Analyzes the rural-urban differences in the prevalence of adult obesity, and the high risk obesity-related behaviors of physical inactivity and poor diet.
Author(s): Tushar Trivedi, Jihong Liu, Janice C Probst, et al.
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(4), 3267
Date: 10/2015
view details