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Deborah D. Ingram, PhD and Sheila Franco. National Center for Health Statistics, 3311 Toledo Rd., MS6208, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 458-4733, DDIngram@cdc.gov
Descriptions of urban-rural health differences are important in assessing the magnitude and type of health problems confronting communities at different levels of urbanization. Some years ago using the 1993 Metropolitan Statistical Areas, NCHS developed a 5-level urban-rural scale for U.S. counties with categories ranging from most urban to most rural. Metropolitan 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. Nonmetropolitan counties were dichotomized as with or without a city of 10,000 or more population. Release of the 2003 Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas in June, 2003, necessitates revision of the NCHS urban-rural scale, both to reflect changes in the population distribution and to reflect changes in the standards used to define metropolitan areas. The desirability and feasibility of using comparable levels in the revised scale is being evaluated. Of particular interest is whether there continues to be a distinction between central and fringe counties of large metro areas. The revised urban-rural scale will be presented. Disparities in health indicators by urbanization level will be illustrated by presenting statistics for various health indicators such as death rates for unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide, teenage childbearing, physical inactivity during leisure time, obesity, health insurance and no dental visit in the past year.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Health, Health Disparities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.