The urban-rural death divide is getting alarmingly wider for working-age Americans

SeaJ , 3 months ago

The conclusion:

The study, which drew from CDC death certificate and epidemiological data, did not explore the reasons for the increases. But, there are a number of plausible factors, the authors note. Rural areas have higher rates of poverty, which contributes to poor health outcomes and higher probabilities of death from chronic diseases. Rural areas also have differences in health behaviors compared with urban areas, including higher incidences of smoking and obesity. Further, rural areas have less access to health care and fewer health care resources. Both rural hospital closures and physician shortages in rural areas have been of growing concern among health experts, the researchers note. Last, some of the states with higher rural mortality rates, particularly those in the South, have failed to implement Medicaid expansions under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which could help improve health care access and, thus, mortality rates among rural residents.

Seems about right on all accounts. I would guess the hospital closures and no Medicaid expansion are the biggest factors.