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Rural Americans Dying at Higher Rate From Preventable Causes Than Urban

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A CDC study released earlier this month found that rural Americans are dying at a higher rate from potentially preventable diseases than their urban counterpoints.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study looked at the five leading causes of death from potentially preventable diseases. They are heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke. The study found that the percentages of deaths from these five diseases were higher in rural areas than urban areas.

The gap between rural and urban life expectancy and mortality has been growing in recent years.  And the CDC report points to several factors to explain it. Rural Americans tend to be older and sicker than urban Americans. They also have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity. Additionally, rural Americans face higher rates of poverty, less access to healthcare, and are less likely to have health insurance.

Appalachia Helth News

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.