Population Considerations for Addressing the Social Determinants of Health for Rural Residents

Rural communities may need to tailor programs that address social determinants of health (SDOH) to acknowledge populations with unique health and social needs:

Children

Poverty can have deep and lasting impacts on children, particularly in rural areas. Children living in rural communities are more likely than non-rural children to experience adverse health effects associated with their physical environment, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and their family's health behaviors. For example, from 2019 to 2020, rural children were less likely than urban children to have a preventive medical and dental visit in the last year. Additionally, rural children were more likely than urban children to live in a household with someone who has an alcohol or drug problem.

Older Adults

Rural areas have a higher percentage of older adults than other areas of the U.S. Rural older adults face a number of challenges due to limited access to healthcare services in rural areas. The Rural Aging in Place Toolkit provides additional information about older adults in rural communities.

People with Disabilities

Approximately 15.3% of people who live in rural areas of the U.S. have a disability, which is higher than the national average (12.9%). Adults with disabilities are more likely to be obese and significantly more likely to smoke than adults without disabilities.

People Experiencing Homelessness

Homeless populations often experience negative health outcomes due to factors like lack of housing stability, exposure to unsafe environmental conditions, interactions with the criminal justice system, limited access to healthcare services, and social isolation. Rural homeless populations face additional challenges in leading healthy lives. For example, the lower population density in rural areas may make homelessness less visible and make it more difficult for health and human service providers to track and reach out to individuals experiencing homelessness. Rural communities may also lack essential infrastructure needed by individuals experiencing homelessness, such as transportation options or access to affordable housing.

Veterans

Veterans living in rural areas may face difficulties accessing healthcare due to lack of specialized care in rural areas, transportation, poverty, homelessness, or substance misuse. The Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare Topic Guide provides information on accessing health services for rural veterans.