The Cumulative Effect of Rural and Regional Residence on the Health of Older Adults

Abstract

The results indicate a cumulative risk of rural and Southern residence for older men and women. Living in a rural place in the midwestern United States seems to provide unique sources of health benefits.

Small-Area Racial Disparity in Stroke Mortality

“…These findings reinforce the importance of addressing the deleterious health effects of poverty 35–37 and rurality. 38 A recent study of regional and rural patterns in health status among older adults reported that after controlling for individual level characteristics, negative health effects of rural residency were found only in the southern region of the United States. 38 The authors hypothesized that the cumulative risk associated with residence in rural areas of the south may operate through mechanisms of available resources, norms, culture, and chronic stress.…”

Chronic Cardiovascular Disease Mortality in Mountaintop Mining Areas of Central Appalachian States

“…Previously identified risk factors for CVD served as covariates 26,36‐39 . Data from the 2005 Area Resource File and other sources were used to measure covariates.…”

Mortality from heart, respiratory, and kidney disease in coal mining areas of Appalachia

“…Selection of covariates was based on previously identiWed risk factors or correlates of heart, respiratory or kidney disease (Barnett and Halverson 2001;Barnett et al 2000;HoVman and Paradise 2007;Iverson et al 2005;Jones-Burton et al 2007;Kunitz and Pesis-Katz 2005;Mannino and Buist 2007;Murray et al 2005;Ziembroski and Brieding 2006). Covariates included percent male population, college and high school education rates, poverty rates, race/ ethnicity rates, health uninsurance rates, physician supply, rural-urban continuum code, smoking rates, and Southern state (yes or no).…”