Descriptions of urban-rural health differences are important in assessing the magnitude and type of health problems confronting communities at different levels of urbanization. All counties in the United States were grouped into 5 levels reflecting their position on a scale ranging from most urban to most rural. Metro counties were classified as central counties of large (1 million or more population) metro areas, fringe counties of large metro areas, or small metro counties. Nonmetro counties were dichotomized as with or without a city of 10,000 or more population. Several national data sources were used to estimate selected health indicators for residents of the 5 urbanization levels. Fringe county residents generally fared best on health indicators, including having the lowest levels of premature mortality, teenage childbearing, obesity in women, no health insurance, and no dental visit in the past year. In contrast, residents of the most rural counties have high levels of mortality among children and young adults, mortality from unintentional and motor vehicle injuries, adolescent and adult smoking, activity limitations due to chronic health conditions; the lowest percent with a dental visit during the past year, and fewest specialist physicians and dentists per capita. See www.cdc.gov/nchs
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will have learned: 1. About the urbanization categories used in the Urban and Rural Health Chartbook. 2. About urban-rural differences in various health outcomes and health access measures.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.