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Navigating Common Health Issues in Rural Areas

Rural areas in the United States are home to about 14% to 19% (1) of the population, which means millions of people live outside big cities. Distance, lack of modern medical facilities (especially specialty hospitals and trauma centers), insurance coverage and transportation barriers make access to preventative and emergency medical care difficult. This leads to lower wellbeing among people in rural areas. The closure of rural health centers due to funding challenges is creating a health crisis for millions of rural Americans. Some of the greatest challenges are detailed below.

Access to Care in Rural Areas

Rural communities are spread over large regions and have unique challenges. Compared to urban areas, rural populations often deal with higher poverty rates, lower levels of education, limited transportation, and a larger proportion of elderly residents.(2) Because of these factors, people in rural areas have less access to health services, which leads to higher rates of illness and death, especially from major diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Chronic Disease in Rural Communities

Older adults living in rural areas are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease and diabetes than those in cities. Diabetes is especially concerning, with rates going up in rural communities. (3) Efforts to reduce deaths from diabetes can be more challenging in rural areas as they are in urban ones. 29% of the rural population is obese compared to 24% in urban counties. These chronic health conditions only increase the need for better health care.

Cancer Treatment Barriers in Rural Communities

Cancer patients in rural areas often face unique challenges. Rural residents may have to travel long distances to get cancer care and often face barriers like low income, poor health literacy and disabilities. For example, people in rural areas have a higher risk of dying from colon and lung cancer, partly because of higher smoking rates and less access to public health programs. Delays in treatment are common due to limited financial resources and fewer health care providers.

Mental Health Challenges in Rural Communities

Access to mental health care is a major issue in rural communities. (4) There are fewer programs available, and transportation is often a problem for those who need help. Suicide rates among rural youth are nearly double those in urban areas, and the gap is growing. Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders affect rural families just as much as urban ones, but rural families report more difficulty getting the services they need. Long waitlists and a lack of local resources make it hard for children and adults with autism to get proper care.

Healthcare Funding Challenges in Rural Areas

Rural areas have a persistent lack of health care providers and clinics, and people often have less access to health insurance. Government policies are trying to fix these problems by promoting telemedicine and changing payment rules for providers. Many rural health centers and access hospitals are closing or threatened to close due to a lack of funding. This will only make treatment and prevention of disease more difficult for rural Americans.

AirMedCare Network (AMCN) Solutions

As the largest air ambulance membership network in the country, AMCN providers live in and serve some of the most rural areas in the United States. We have a deep understanding of the challenges and consequences both to the health and finances of rural Americans.

Many rural communities choose a Membership Site Plan with AMCN that provides residents in designated communities with access to air ambulance membership at low to no cost for their residents. Other rural residents purchase household membership at $99 per year, which eliminates the worry about finances after treatment by an AMCN provider.

To address preventative medical care constraints, Telemedicine membership is offered on the AMCN website. Telemedicine access in rural communities has shown to improve management of chronic diseases in rural areas.

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7043306/
  2. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access
  3. https://www.ruralhealth.us/getmedia/e3d8b403-dded-47c8-89af-470604edef31/2020-NRHA-Policy-Document-Rural-Obesity.pdf
  4. Suicide in Rural America | Rural Health | CDC

Key Rural Health Barriers Takeaways

  • Millions in rural America struggle to access medical care due to distance, limited facilities, insurance gaps, and transportation barriers.
  • Rural communities face higher poverty rates, lower education rates, and more elderly residents, resulting in increased illness and mortality.
  • Chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease are more common in rural areas, with obesity rates at 29% versus 24% in urban counties.
  • Cancer patients in rural regions experience treatment delays and higher mortality rates due to travel, financial, and provider shortages.
  • Mental health care is less available in rural areas, leading to higher youth suicide rates and challenges for families needing autism services.
  • Funding shortages threaten rural health centers; AMCN membership and telemedicine help fill gaps in emergency and preventative care.

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