Rural Health

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-273DTKB5QW"></script> <meta name="description" content="Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents." /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Rural Health" /> <meta name="dcterms.creator" content="Office of the Commissioner" /> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents." /> <meta name="dcterms.publisher" content="FDA" /> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="Article" /> <meta name="dcterms.source" content="FDA" /> <meta name="dcterms.audience" content="Consumers, African-American/Black, Asian, Hispanic" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="U.S. Food and Drug Administration" /> <meta property="og:type" content="Article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/rural-health" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Rural Health" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.fda.gov/files/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png" /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="Tue, 06/22/2021 - 15:25" /> <meta property="article:publisher" content="FDA" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="Fri, 06/21/2024 - 16:37" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="Tue, 06/22/2021 - 15:25" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="tWxlDhm4ANdksJZPj7TBmHgNoMqZCnecPp0Aa2vC9XA" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@US_FDA" /> <meta property="twitter:description" content="Nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents." /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rural Health" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@US_FDA" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.fda.gov/files/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Rural Health", "name": "Rural Health", "description": "Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "representativeOfPage": "True", "url": "https://www.fda.gov/files/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png" }, "datePublished": "Fri, 06/21/2024 - 16:37", "dateModified": "Tue, 06/22/2021 - 15:25", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Office of the Commissioner" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "FDA" } } ] }</script> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/preview/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/rural-health" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/rural-health" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.fda.gov/node/410047" /> <script src="/files/google_tag/production/google_tag.script.js?smjbjq" defer></script> <title>Rural Health | FDA</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/files/css/css_nIAEFYPN7y_O0y9dA__6_ZBSGy8omYOK6rvMeZ1warY.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=preview&include=eJxljlEOwjAMQy_UUX6QuE2VtVmpaOuqCUPj9DAQA8FP5NiS_SZUpSsLCtvpo3cmAjGzo0p50eTF_hpGFlEudiRh0zrPia82ZoyUB9Elpxr_bN9TUzEjoKKdmm1omLmbKZDzZw5J0R3XE1XPhauKJe_RQ0J1irgCyAldPQKbtVrs8-4KwiXzqwel5bQ2vDJ32B-_TDM91iuUxW5qA_WdbgvHD3mg9tx6_9v6sIHdAfkmf6A" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/files/css/css_xLeUZALg1CD0YmiSIzZnqkwKfNF_g3TkAjkxBt_uccA.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=preview&include=eJxljlEOwjAMQy_UUX6QuE2VtVmpaOuqCUPj9DAQA8FP5NiS_SZUpSsLCtvpo3cmAjGzo0p50eTF_hpGFlEudiRh0zrPia82ZoyUB9Elpxr_bN9TUzEjoKKdmm1omLmbKZDzZw5J0R3XE1XPhauKJe_RQ0J1irgCyAldPQKbtVrs8-4KwiXzqwel5bQ2vDJ32B-_TDM91iuUxW5qA_WdbgvHD3mg9tx6_9v6sIHdAfkmf6A" /> <script src="https://script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0024/3700.js" async></script> <script src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=HHS&subagency=FDA&sdor=fda.gov&dclink=true" language="javascript" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-273DTKB5QW", {"groups":"default","page_placeholder":"PLACEHOLDER_page_location","allow_ad_personalization_signals":false});</script> </head> <body class="role-anonymous path-node page-node-type-article has-glyphicons"> <div id="quicklinks" class="sr-only"> <ul> <li><a href="#main-content" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to main content</a></li> <li><a href="#search-form" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to FDA Search</a></li> <li><a href="#section-nav" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to in this section menu</a></li> <li><a href="#footer-heading" class="sr-only sr-only-focusable" tabindex="1">Skip to footer links</a></li> </ul> </div> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M95XGZW" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="main-container container-fluid"> <div class="row"> <header class="lcds-header container-fluid" role="heading" aria-level="1"> <div class="row us-masthead"> <div class="usa-banner col-xs-12"> <img class="usa-banner__us-flag" src="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/US_Flag.png" alt="U.S. flag" /> <span>An official website of the United States government</span> <a id="USMenuButton" class="collapsed" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#USABannerMenu" aria-controls="USABannerMenu">Here鈥檚 how you know <span class="toggle-indicator"> </span></a> <div class="col-xs-12 collapse usa-banner__menu" id="USABannerMenu" aria-labelledby="USMenuButton"> <div id="gov-banner" class="row usa-banner-content usa-grid usa-accordion-content" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3"> <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov" style="width:3em;"> <div class="usa-media_block-body"> <p><strong>The .gov means it鈥檚 official.</strong><br>Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.</p> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-3"> <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/icon-https.svg" alt="SSL" style="width:3em;"> <div class="usa-media_block-body"> <p><strong>The site is secure.</strong><br> The <strong>https://</strong> ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="alert alert-warning margin-left-neg-2 margin-right-neg-2 margin-top-3 margin-bottom-1"> <p>On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a <a href="/about-fda/fda-organization/fda-modernization-efforts-establishing-unified-human-foods-program-new-model-field-operations-and" title="FDA Modernization Efforts for Establishing a Unified Human Foods Program, New Model for Field Operations and More">reorganization</a> impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.</p> </div> <div class="row fda-masthead"> <div class="col-xs-4 col-md-8"> <a href="/" title="FDA Homepage"> <h1 class="fda-masthead__fda-logo">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</h1> </a> </div> <div class="col-xs-8 col-md-4"> <ul class='fda-masthead__item-list'> <li><a title="" id="btn-search" class="btn btn-default btn-sm fda-masthead__btn-search"> <span class="fa fa-search" aria-hidden="true"> </span> <span class="fda-masthead__btn-label">Search</span> </a></li> <li><a id="menu-btn" class="btn btn-default btn-sm fda-masthead__btn-menu collapsed" href="#primary-nav" data-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="true"> <span class="fa fa-bars" aria-hidden="true"> </span> <span class='fda-masthead__btn-label'>Menu</span> </a></li> </ul> </div> <form class="fda-masthead__search sr-only" role="search" action="/search" method="GET" name="searchForm" id="search-form" accept-charset="UTF-8" > <div class="search-popover" id="search-popover"> <div class="input-group pull-right" id="search-group"> <label class="sr-only" for="search-query">Search FDA</label> <input class="form-control search-input" id="search-query" name="s" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true" title="Enter the terms you wish to search for." placeholder="Search FDA" type="text" /> <span class="input-group-btn" id="input-group-btn"> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-danger search-btn" id="search-btn" title="Search"><span class="fa fa-search" aria-hidden="true"><span class="sr-only">Submit search</span></span></button> </span> </div> </div> </form> </div> <nav id="primary-nav" class="lcds-primary-nav row collapse"> <div class="col-md-5 col-lg-4"> <section class="lcds-primary-nav__group lcds-primary-nav__group--bordered"> <h2 class="lcds-primary-nav__group-heading">Featured</h2> <ul class="lcds-primary-nav__list lcds-primary-nav__list--featured"> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/smarthub#/" title="Report a Problem with an FDA Regulated Product">Report a Product Problem</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/about-fda/contact-fda">Contact FDA</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents">FDA Guidance Documents</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts">Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/news-events/newsroom/press-announcements">Press Announcements</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/compliance-actions-and-activities/warning-letters">Warning Letters</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/advisory-committees">Advisory Committees</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/fda-en-espanol">En Espa&#241ol</a></li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="col-md-7 col-lg-8"> <section class="lcds-primary-nav__group lcds-primary-nav__group--bordered"> <h2 class="lcds-primary-nav__group-heading">Products</h2> <ul class="lcds-primary-nav__list"> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/food">Food</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/drugs">Drugs</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/medical-devices">Medical Devices</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/radiation-emitting-products">Radiation-Emitting Products</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/vaccines-blood-biologics">Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/animal-veterinary">Animal and Veterinary</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/cosmetics">Cosmetics</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/tobacco-products">Tobacco Products</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="lcds-primary-nav__group lcds-primary-nav__group--bordered"> <h2 class="lcds-primary-nav__group-heading">Topics</h2> <ul class="lcds-primary-nav__list"> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/about-fda">About FDA</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/combination-products">Combination Products</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/regulatory-information">Regulatory Information</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/safety">Safety</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/emergency-preparedness-and-response">Emergency Preparedness</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/international-programs">International Programs</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/news-events">News and Events</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/training-and-continuing-education">Training and Continuing Education</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations">Inspections and Compliance</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/science-research">Science and Research</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="lcds-primary-nav__group lcds-primary-nav__group--bordered"> <h2 class="lcds-primary-nav__group-heading">Information For</h2> <ul class="lcds-primary-nav__list"> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/consumers">Consumers</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/patients">Patients</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/industry">Industry</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/health-professionals">Health Professionals</a></li> <li class="lcds-primary-nav__list-item"><a href="/federal-state-local-tribal-and-territorial-officials">Federal, State and Local Officials</a></li> </ul> </section> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="col-xs-12"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> <section id="block-entityviewcontent" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <a class="lcds-button--expandable collapsed hidden-md hidden-lg" data-toggle="collapse" href="#section-nav" >In this section<span class="visible-sm-inline-block">: Minority Health and Health Equity Resources </span> </a> <nav id="section-nav" class="lcds-card lcds-section-nav lcds-section-nav hidden-md hidden-lg collapse"> <ul class="lcds-section-nav__list"> <li> <a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources" title="Minority Health and Health Equity Resources" class="lcds-section-nav__section-link lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav__parent-link visible-xs-block visible-sm-block"> Minority Health and Health Equity Resources </a> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-in-this-section view-id-in_this_section view-display-id-block_5 js-view-dom-id-aad78fb3531fc818d1241a81c14c569e131627706b87c3d3215cfdf89b0666fd"> <div> <ul class="lcds-section-nav__section-link__active lcds-section-nav__list"> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/alzheimers-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Alzheimer's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/anxiety" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/asthma" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Asthma</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/clinical-trial-diversity" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Clinical Trial Diversity</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/colorectal-cancer" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Colorectal Cancer</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/depression" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Depression</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/diabetes" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Diabetes</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/heart-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Heart Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hepatitis-b" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Hepatitis B</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hidradenitis-suppurativa" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Hidradenitis Suppurativa</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hiv" class="lcds-section-nav__link">HIV</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hypertension" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Hypertension</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/immunization" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Immunization</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/lupus" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Lupus</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/prostate-cancer" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Prostate Cancer</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/rural-health" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Rural Health</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/sickle-cell-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Sickle Cell Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/stroke" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Stroke</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/tobacco-use" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Tobacco Use</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/commercial-tobacco-use-american-indian-and-alaska-native-populations" class="lcds-section-nav__link">Commercial Tobacco Use in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-in-this-section-sub view-id-in_this_section_sub view-display-id-block_2 js-view-dom-id-3445caea86380bf83628891e190c20e62cf1e67a30a4fa9321719cc64ce55f24"> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </section> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-15" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <ol class="lcds-breadcrumb visible-md visible-lg"> <li > <a href="/">Home</a> </li> <li > <a href="/consumers">For Consumers</a> </li> <li > <a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity">Minority Health and Health Equity</a> </li> <li > <a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources">Minority Health and Health Equity Resources</a> </li> <li > <a class="current-link">Rural Health</a> </li> </ol> <ol class="lcds-breadcrumb visible-sm visible-xs"> <li> <a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources" title="Minority Health and Health Equity Resources"> Minority Health and Health Equity Resources </a> </li> </ol> </section> <main> <article id="main-content" class="article main-content container-fluid" role="article"> <header class="row content-header" role="heading" aria-level="1"> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-2" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-8 col-md-offset-2"> <h1 class="content-title text-center">Rural Health</h1> <div class="lcds-toolbar lcds-toolbar--social"> <a href="#subscribe" class="btn btn-sm btn-default header-button-subscribe">Subscribe to Email Updates</a> <ul class="lcds-share lcds-share--default"> <li class="lcds-share__item"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.fda.gov%2Fconsumers%2Fminority-health-and-health-equity-resources%2Frural-health" class="lcds-share__btn lcds-share--default__btn-facebook js-share" id="fb-share" target="_blank"><span class="fa icon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span>Share</a> </li> <li class="lcds-share__item"> <a href="https://x.com/intent/tweet/?text=Rural%20Health&url=https://www.fda.gov%2Fconsumers%2Fminority-health-and-health-equity-resources%2Frural-health" target="_blank" class="lcds-share__btn lcds-share--default__btn-x-twitter js-share" id="twitter-share"> <svg class="icon-svg-inline" aria-hidden="true"> <use href="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/fa-icons.svg#icon-x-twitter"> </svg> Post </a> </li> <li class="lcds-share__item hidden-xs"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.fda.gov%2Fconsumers%2Fminority-health-and-health-equity-resources%2Frural-health&title=Rural%20Health&source=FDA" class="lcds-share__btn lcds-share--default__btn-linkedin js-share" id="linkedin-share" target="_blank"><span class="fa icon-linkedin" aria-hidden="true"></span>Linkedin</a> </li> <li class="lcds-share__item"> <a href="mailto:?subject=Rural%20Health&body=https://www.fda.gov%2Fconsumers%2Fminority-health-and-health-equity-resources%2Frural-health" class="lcds-share__btn lcds-share--default__btn-mail"><span class="fa icon-envelope" aria-hidden="true"></span>Email</a> </li> <li class=" lcds-share__item hidden-xs"> <a href="javascript:window.print();" title="Print this page" class="lcds-share__btn lcds-share--default__btn-print"><span class="fa icon-print" aria-hidden="true"></span>Print</a> </li> </ul> <div class="form-group"> </div> </div> </div> </section> </header> <div class="col-md-8 col-md-push-2" role="main"> <figure> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-inline"> <div class="field--label">Image</div> <div class="field--item"> <picture> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_small/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=gNy9SGPU 1x" media="all and (max-width: 320px)" type="image/png" width="320" height="180"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=dTI-_sLx 1x" media="all and (min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 480px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=dTI-_sLx 1x" media="all and (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 767px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=dTI-_sLx 1x" media="all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 992px)" type="image/png" width="500" height="281"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_1/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=K5KLhPud 1x" media="all and (min-width: 993px) and (max-width: 1200px)" type="image/png" width="1020" height="574"/> <source srcset="/files/styles/main_image_1/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=K5KLhPud 1x" media="all and (min-width: 1201px)" type="image/png" width="1020" height="574"/> <img loading="eager" src="/files/styles/main_image_medium/public/Rural%20Health%20Fact%20Sheet%20Image.png?itok=dTI-_sLx" width="500" height="281" alt="Women gardening" class="img-responsive" /> </picture> </div> </div> </div> </figure> <p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="/media/150106/download"><span class="text">Fact Sheet: Download and Share</span></a>    <a class="btn btn-primary" href="/media/150107/download"><span class="text">Infographic: Download and Share</span></a></p> <p>Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents.</p> <h3>What is rural health?</h3> <p>Rural health is the health of people living in rural areas, who generally are located farther from health care facilities and other services than people living in urban areas. More than 46 million people in the United States (15% of the population) live in rural areas. There are more older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans living in rural areas. Rural areas tend to have higher rates of people who do not have health insurance and who have limited access to health care services because many medical centers in rural areas are closing.</p> <h3>What are rural health disparities?</h3> <p>People living in rural areas are generally at higher risk of disease and death than people living in urban areas. These differences in risk are known as rural health disparities. Rural residents are at greater risk of death from:</p> <ul> <li>Heart disease</li> <li>Cancer</li> <li>Stroke</li> <li>Unintentional injury (for example: motor vehicle death, opioid overdose and other substance abuse)</li> <li>Chronic lower respiratory disease</li> </ul> <p>Rural residents also are more likely to have multiple health conditions compared to people living in other areas.</p> <p>Heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis are examples of health conditions that are more common in rural areas.</p> <p>Within rural areas, members of racial/ethnic minority, tribal, and other diverse groups are at higher risk for poor health outcomes. American Indian/Alaska Native, African American, and Hispanic/Latino adults living in rural areas reported higher rates of fair or poor health compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Rural African American and American Indian/Alaska Native adults are more likely to have multiple chronic health conditions than non-Hispanic white adults.</p> <h3>What causes rural health disparities?</h3> <p>Factors that put people living in rural areas at greater risk for poor health outcomes include:</p> <ul> <li>Less access to care because of fewer health care providers, medical facilities, and transportation options</li> <li>Exposures to specific environmental hazards, such as pollution and poor air and water quality</li> <li>Higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity</li> <li>Less leisure-time physical activity</li> <li>Lower seatbelt use</li> <li>Food deserts, areas with fewer grocery options and lower availability of healthy foods</li> <li>Higher rates of poverty and less likelihood of having health insurance</li> </ul> <h3>Rural health and clinical trials</h3> <p>To find a health care provider in your area, visit <a href="//findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov"><strong>findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov</strong></a>.</p> <p>The FDA encourages diverse participation in clinical trials. If you think a clinical trial may be right for you, talk to your health care provider. You can also search for clinical trials in your area at <strong><a href="//www.clinicaltrials.gov">www.ClinicalTrials.gov</a></strong>.</p> <p>For more information on health equity, visit <strong><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0f7753c6-9f66-4688-bccd-4554c9b957e0" href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity" title="Minority Health and Health Equity">www.fda.gov/healthequity</a></strong>.</p> <hr> <h2>Download Rural Health Resources</h2> <ul> <li><a data-entity-substitution="media_download" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="08316a9c-200b-409a-bc0d-12f4fa09b1d8" href="/media/150106/download?attachment" title="OMHHE Rural Health Fact Sheet">Fact Sheet: Rural Health</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="media_download" data-entity-type="media" data-entity-uuid="8faacd20-ecca-4e6d-b345-ed398ee9ce4b" href="/media/150107/download?attachment" title="OMHHE Rural Health Infographic">Infographic: What Is Rural Health?</a></li> </ul>   </div> <aside class="col-md-2 col-md-push-2" role="complementary"> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-4" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <div class="region region-"> <aside class="lcds-card lcds-card--border-top"> <ul role="menu" class="lcds-description-list"> <li role="menuitem" class="node-current-date lcds-description-list__item"> <div> <h2 class="lcds-description-list__item-heading">Content current as of:</h2> <p class="lcds-description-list__item-text"><time datetime="2021-06-22T15:25:00Z">06/22/2021</time> </p> </div> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="lcds-description-list__item"> <div> </div> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> </section> </aside> <aside class="col-md-2 col-md-pull-10" role="complementary"> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-3" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <div class="region region-"> <nav id="section-nav"class="lcds-card lcds-section-nav lcds-section-nav--side hidden-xs hidden-sm"> <ul class="lcds-section-nav__list lcds-section-nav--side__list"> <li> <a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link lcds-section-nav__parent-link lcds-section-nav--side__parent-link"> Minority Health and Health Equity Resources </a> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-in-this-section view-id-in_this_section view-display-id-block_4 js-view-dom-id-c6340dd49ea126edd6751b81959dec59a64d07f3cc5e0432736821336aa924fa"> <div class="item-list"> <ul class="lcds-section-nav__active lcds-section-nav__list lcds-section-nav--side__list"> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/alzheimers-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Alzheimer's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/anxiety" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/asthma" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Asthma</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/clinical-trial-diversity" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Clinical Trial Diversity</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/colorectal-cancer" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Colorectal Cancer</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/depression" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Depression</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/diabetes" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Diabetes</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/heart-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Heart Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hepatitis-b" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Hepatitis B</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hidradenitis-suppurativa" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Hidradenitis Suppurativa</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hiv" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">HIV</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/hypertension" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Hypertension</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/immunization" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Immunization</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/lupus" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Lupus</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/prostate-cancer" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Prostate Cancer</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/rural-health" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Rural Health</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/sickle-cell-disease" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Sickle Cell Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/stroke" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Stroke</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/tobacco-use" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Tobacco Use</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/minority-health-and-health-equity-resources/commercial-tobacco-use-american-indian-and-alaska-native-populations" class="lcds-section-nav__link lcds-section-nav--side__link">Commercial Tobacco Use in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="views-element-container form-group"><div class="view view-in-this-section-sub view-id-in_this_section_sub view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-33f39a575eafad7d965f8d55fe46a81723bd0f94383203d1580ef3e8ac042030"> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </section> </aside> </article> </main> </div> </div> <div class="region region-subscribe"> <section id="block-entityviewcontent-5" data-block-plugin-id="entity_view:node" class="block block-ctools block-entity-viewnode clearfix"> <section class="lcds-subscribe" id="subscribe"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-3 col-md-offset-3"> <h2>Subscribe to the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity email updates</h2> <p>Get regular FDA email updates delivered on this topic to your inbox.</p> </div> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-3"> <form class="form-horizontal" id="GD-snippet-form" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USFDA/subscribers/qualify" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post"> <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓"> <input type="hidden" name="authenticity_token" value="VJuyc1HyD63+xVCkN+K9qiH1bD9zSSJ+BfdR1d4LXjZ0BncrJ/u9dEw/e0U869OeCw6JxhyYXfnZCCGNF1oVkQ=="> <input type="hidden" name="topic_id" id="topic_id" value="USFDA_137"> <label class="sr-only" for="email">Enter your email address to subscribe:</label> <div class="input-group subscribe-group"> <input type="email" name="email" id="email" placeholder="Email Address" class="form-control"> <span class="input-group-btn"><input class="btn btn-primary" type="submit" name="commit" value="Subscribe"></span> </div> </form> </div> </div> </section> </section> </div> <footer class="lcds-footer container-fluid"> <div class="row lcds-footer__primary"> <h2 id="footer-heading" class="sr-only">Footer Links</h2> <nav class="text-center"> <div class="col-sm-4"> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/about-fda/about-website/fdagov-archive" >FDA Archive</a></li> <li><a href="/about-fda" >About FDA</a></li> <li><a href="/about-fda/about-website/internet-accessibility" >Accessibility</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/about-fda/visitor-information" >Visitor Information</a> </li> <li><a href="/about-fda/about-website/website-policies" >Website Policies / Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="/about-fda/jobs-and-training-fda/no-fear-act" >No FEAR Act</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" >Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-sm-4"> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/regulatory-information/freedom-information" title="Freedom of Information Act">FOIA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/" title="Health and Human Services" target="_blank">HHS.gov</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.usa.gov/" target="_blank">USA.gov</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="row lcds-footer__secondary"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 lcds-footer__social-links"> <a href="/about-fda/contact-fda" class="btn btn-default btn-md">Contact FDA</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FDA" title="Follow FDA on Facebook" class="no-disclaimer"> <span class="fa fa-facebook fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="sr-only">Follow FDA on Facebook</span> </span> </a> <a href="https://x.com/US_FDA" title="Follow FDA on X" class="no-disclaimer"> <svg class="icon-svg-inline fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <use href="/themes/custom/preview/assets/images/fa-icons.svg#icon-x-twitter"> </svg> <span class="sr-only">Follow FDA on X</span> </a> <a href="https://instagram.com/FDA" title="Follow FDA on Instagram" class="no-disclaimer"> <span class="fa fa-instagram fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="sr-only">Follow FDA on Instagram</span> </span> </a> <br class='visible-xs-inline'/> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/fda/" title="Follow FDA on LinkedIn" class="no-disclaimer"> <span class="fa fa-linkedin fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="sr-only">Follow FDA on LinkedIn</span> </span> </a> <a href="https://youtube.com/@US_FDA" title="View FDA videos on YouTube" class="no-disclaimer"> <span class="fa fa-youtube fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="sr-only">View FDA videos on YouTube</span> </span> </a> <a href="/about-fda/contact-fda/subscribe-podcasts-and-news-feeds" title="Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds"> <span class="fa fa-rss fa-2x" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="sr-only">Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds</span> </span> </a> </div> <a href="/" title="FDA Homepage"> <div class="visible-lg-block col-lg-4 text-center lcds-footer__logo"> <span class="sr-only">FDA Homepage</span> </div> </a> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 text-center lcds-footer__contact-number"> <span class="fa fa-phone" aria-hidden="true"> </span> <span class="sr-only">Contact Number</span> 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) </div> </div>  </footer> <a href="" id="btn-top" class="btn btn-primary btn-top"><span class="sr-only">Back to </span>Top</a> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/410047","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"fda_ckeditor_enhancements":{"basePath":"modules\/custom\/fda_ckeditor_enhancements"},"google_analytics":{"account":"G-273DTKB5QW","trackOutbound":true,"trackMailto":true,"trackTel":true,"trackDownload":true,"trackDownloadExtensions":"7z|aac|arc|arj|asf|asx|avi|bin|csv|doc(x|m)?|dot(x|m)?|exe|flv|gif|gz|gzip|hqx|jar|jpe?g|js|mp(2|3|4|e?g)|mov(ie)?|msi|msp|pdf|phps|png|ppt(x|m)?|pot(x|m)?|pps(x|m)?|ppam|sld(x|m)?|thmx|qtm?|ra(m|r)?|sea|sit|tar|tgz|torrent|txt|wav|wma|wmv|wpd|xls(x|m|b)?|xlt(x|m)|xlam|xml|z|zip"},"bootstrap":{"forms_has_error_value_toggle":1,"modal_animation":1,"modal_backdrop":"true","modal_focus_input":1,"modal_keyboard":1,"modal_select_text":1,"modal_show":1,"modal_size":"","popover_enabled":1,"popover_animation":1,"popover_auto_close":1,"popover_container":"body","popover_content":"","popover_delay":"0","popover_html":0,"popover_placement":"right","popover_selector":"","popover_title":"","popover_trigger":"click"},"ajax":[],"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"3aef67b4ac7d861d8624bf1f7ab2bc9cfc56d3c25b7d709dc15466dfa996dfb0"}}</script> <script src="/files/js/js_jmx6639WuKcEs1DgFSmm8g__5ByGF4YtLnPWvZO-XrM.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=preview&include=eJxljlEOwjAMQy_UUX6QuE2VtVmpaOuqCUPj9DAQA8FP5NiS_SZUpSsLCtvpo3cmAjGzo0p50eTF_hpGFlEudiRh0zrPia82ZoyUB9Elpxr_bN9TUzEjoKKdmm1omLmbKZDzZw5J0R3XE1XPhauKJe_RQ0J1irgCyAldPQKbtVrs8-4KwiXzqwel5bQ2vDJ32B-_TDM91iuUxW5qA_WdbgvHD3mg9tx6_9v6sIHdAfkmf6A"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/gq99Y_V0q5/KuhV/sZod41/hYVOwczLtmJfOi/QwpAMw/IAVea3/RqCSA"></script></body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Rural Health | FDA