RURAL vs. URBAN
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The obstacles and challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients in rural areas are vastly different from those in urban areas. Economic factors, cultural and social differences, lack of healthcare resources, difficulty in attracting professional staff, less recognition from state policy makers and the sheer isolation of living in remote areas all conspire to create healthcare disparities that impede rural Americans in their struggle to lead normal, healthy lives.
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National Rural Health Snapshot
Rural Urban
1. Percentage of Population 19.3% 80.7%
2. Number of people per Licensed
3. Alcohol Drug Counselor 7,000 2,200
4. Number of M.D. specialists per
100,00 people 30 263
5. Average per capita income $45,482 $53,657
6. Adults who describe health
status as fair/poor 19.5% 15.6%
7. Medicare beneficiaries without
drug coverage 43% 27%
8. Percentage of people covered
by Medicaid 16% 13%
1. Percentage of Population 19.3% 80.7%
2. Number of people per Licensed
3. Alcohol Drug Counselor 7,000 2,200
4. Number of M.D. specialists per
100,00 people 30 263
5. Average per capita income $45,482 $53,657
6. Adults who describe health
status as fair/poor 19.5% 15.6%
7. Medicare beneficiaries without
drug coverage 43% 27%
8. Percentage of people covered
by Medicaid 16% 13%
ADDICTION TREATMENT CREATES NEW CHALLENGES IN RURAL AREAS:
Sustainability: No regularly scheduled rate increase, together with guaranteed constant rise in expenses; sustainability is questionable at best.
Accessibility: Rural residents often travel long distances to receive services. They are less likely to be insured for Addiction Treatment services, and less likely to recognize the illness.
Availability: Specialized Professionals are more likely to live in urban centers, leaving chronic rural shortages of Addiction Treatment Professionals.
Acceptability: The stigma of needing or receiving Addiction Treatment, along with fewer trained professionals creates barriers to access.
Accessibility: Rural residents often travel long distances to receive services. They are less likely to be insured for Addiction Treatment services, and less likely to recognize the illness.
Availability: Specialized Professionals are more likely to live in urban centers, leaving chronic rural shortages of Addiction Treatment Professionals.
Acceptability: The stigma of needing or receiving Addiction Treatment, along with fewer trained professionals creates barriers to access.
