An NIH-funded study highlights the higher prevalence of heart disease in rural communities compared to urban areas, attributing the disparities to social factors such as income, education and food security.
A new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveiled significant differences in cardiovascular health between adults residing in rural and urban communities, attributing these disparities to various social factors.
The research reveals that adults living in rural areas are more likely to experience heart disease and its risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes, compared to their urban counterparts.
The study, published in JAMA Cardiology, analyzed data from over 27,000 adults who participated in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
The findings illustrate stark contrasts: 7% of rural adults had heart disease compared to 4% of urban adults, 37% of rural residents had high blood pressure compared to 31% in cities, and 29% of rural adults had high cholesterol compared to 27% of their urban counterparts. Obesity rates were also notably higher in rural regions, with 41% of rural adults affected versus 30% in urban areas.
The researchers identified social determinants, such as income, education level, food security and home ownership, as primary contributors to these differences.
Interestingly, access to health care and lifestyle risk factors, like smoking and physical inactivity, did not significantly explain the variances despite higher smoking rates and lower physical activity in rural areas.
Notably, the study highlighted that the disparities are most pronounced among younger adults aged 20-39 in rural areas. This finding underscores the need for early interventions that address the unique challenges faced by younger populations in these regions.
The research also noted geographical variations within rural areas. For instance, the highest rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease were found in rural areas in the South.
Conversely, obesity rates were consistently higher throughout rural regions, particularly in the Northeast.
More than 60 million adults in the United States live in rural communities, where heart disease remains the leading cause of death. This study’s insights are pivotal for informing public health policies and efforts designed to support and enhance cardiovascular health, particularly in underserved rural populations.
Source: National Institutes of Health