Rural Health Disparities in the United States PDF

Rural Health Disparities in the United States Robin Daller, DNP, ACNP-BC Adjunct Faculty Nursing Department Thiel College Rural Population Overview 46.2M 59M...

Rural Health Disparities in the United States Robin Daller, DNP, ACNP-BC Adjunct Faculty Nursing Department Thiel College Rural Population Overview 46.2M 59M Minimum Estimate Maximum Estimate Lowest estimate of rural population in the U.S. Highest estimate of rural population in the U.S. 14% 19% Minimum Percentage Maximum Percentage Lowest percentage of U.S. population living in rural areas Highest percentage of U.S. population living in rural areas Challenges Faced by Rural Communities Higher Poverty Rates Lower Educational Attainment Rural areas experience greater economic Access to quality education challenges compared to can be limited in rural urban counterparts. settings. Lack of Higher Proportion of Transportation Elderly Limited public transit Rural areas tend to have an options can hinder access to older population, increasing healthcare and other healthcare demands. services. Health Disparities in Rural Areas Elevated Morbidity and Mortality Excess Deaths Rural communities face higher rates of illness and death Greater percentages of excess deaths from leading causes compared to urban areas. including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Chronic Diseases in Rural Older Adults Coronary Heart Disease Diabetes Obesity Higher prevalence among rural Up to 17% higher in rural areas Prevalence ranges from 24% in older adults compared to urban than in urban areas. Ranked as the urban counties to 29% in rural counterparts. third most important rural priority counties. in Rural Healthy People 2020. Cancer Disparities in Rural Areas 1 Diagnosis Stage Some studies show rural cancer patients are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, while others show the opposite. 2 Colon Cancer Rural patients have an estimated 8% to 15% increased risk of death from colon cancer. 3 Lung Cancer Mortality is up to 20% higher in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas. Factors Contributing to Rural Cancer Disparities Access Barriers Long travel times to oncology care, low income, low education, poor health literacy, or disability. Higher Smoking Rates Disproportionately higher smoking rates contribute to increased lung cancer risk. Limited Interventions Less access to public health interventions and health care services for cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. Treatment Delays System-level factors like care setting, referral resources, and availability of diagnostic and treatment services can cause delays. Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Rural Areas Prevalence Access Challenges Autism affects 1 in every 59 children in the U.S., with Rural families report greater difficulty in accessing similar rates reported in rural and urban areas. resources, with long waitlists for diagnostic and therapeutic services. Mental Health in Rural Areas Limited Programs 1 Few mental health programs available in rural areas. Transportation Issues 2 Lack of transportation to reach available services. Youth Suicide Rates 3 Nearly double the urban rate for both males and females. Increasing Disparity 4 Longitudinal analyses suggest the rural-urban mental health gap is growing. Healthcare Resources in Rural Areas Physician Distribution Health Insurance Skewed towards urban areas, leaving rural Rural residents often have more restricted areas underserved. access to health insurance. Rural Health Clinics Federally Qualified Health Centers Play an important role in addressing rural health care needs. Crucial in providing care to underserved rural populations. Transformation of Rural Health Care 1 Health Care Financing Changes in financing models have impacted rural health care delivery. 2 New Technologies Introduction of new medical technologies has altered care capabilities. 3 Health Systems and Networks Clustering of health services into larger systems and networks. 4 Affordable Care Act Extended health insurance to previously uninsured/underinsured individuals. Integration of Rural Health Care Systems and Alliances Resource Management Rural health professionals are joining systems and alliances Combining resources to to cope with policy and reduce costs and manage economic challenges. scarce resources effectively. Competitive Edge Integration allows rural providers to compete more effectively in the healthcare market. Government Policies Addressing Rural Health Disparities 1 Network 2 Telemedicine Development Promotion Encouraging the formation Supporting the growth of of healthcare networks in telemedicine to improve rural areas. access to care. 3 Medicare Payment 4 Rural Health Changes Research Adjusting Medicare Funding research to better payment rules to benefit understand and address rural providers. rural health challenges. The Rise of Telemedicine in Rural Health Increasing Familiarity 1 Providers and patients becoming more comfortable with telemedicine systems. Technological Advancements 2 Improvements in telecommunications technology enhancing telemedicine capabilities. Expanded Access 3 Telemedicine bridging the gap between rural patients and specialized care. Cost-Effective Care 4 Reducing the need for long-distance travel and improving healthcare efficiency. Research Needs in Rural Health Chronic Disease Disparities Neurodevelopmental Policy-Oriented Research Disorders Further research on disparities in Health services research aimed at heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in Studies on access to care for rural informing policy decisions at federal, rural areas. individuals with autism and other state, and local levels. neurodevelopmental conditions. Goals of Rural Health Research Understanding Rural Challenges Assisting providers and decision-makers in comprehending problems faced by rural communities. Improving Access Providing information to enhance health care access in rural areas. Enhancing Population Health Applying research findings to improve overall health outcomes in rural populations. Informing Policy Using research results to guide policy development at various governmental levels. The Role of Rural Health Clinics Primary Care Preventive Services Providing essential primary care services Offering vaccinations, screenings, and to rural communities. health education. Community Outreach Referral Services Engaging in community health initiatives Connecting patients with specialized care and education programs. when needed. Challenges for Rural Health Clinics Staffing Shortages Financial Constraints Difficulty in recruiting and Limited resources and lower retaining healthcare patient volumes affecting professionals in rural areas. financial stability. Technology Gaps Regulatory Compliance Keeping up with technological advancements Meeting regulatory in healthcare can be requirements with limited challenging. administrative resources. Future Directions in Rural Health Telemedicine Expansion 1 Continued growth and integration of telemedicine services. Workforce Development 2 Initiatives to attract and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas. Policy Innovations 3 New policies to address unique challenges of rural healthcare delivery. Technology Integration 4 Adoption of new technologies to enhance care quality and efficiency. Community Engagement 5 Increased focus on community-based health initiatives and education. Conclusion: Addressing Rural Health Disparities Multifaceted Approach Continued Research Addressing rural health disparities requires a comprehensive Ongoing research is crucial to understand evolving rural strategy involving healthcare providers, policymakers, and health challenges and develop effective solutions. communities. Policy Adaptation Community Empowerment Policies must be flexible and adaptable to meet the unique Empowering rural communities to take an active role in their needs of diverse rural communities. health and healthcare decisions is essential for long-term improvement.