Obstacles to Rural Health and Current Directions in Overcoming Them

Abstract

In the US, the rural elderly are of particular interest. People who are elderly make up a larger share of the population in rural communities than urban ones, while low population density is a major obstacle to efficient delivery of services. Fortunately, all is not lost. Many organizations are committed to promoting the wellbeing of rural seniors, and technological innovation provides new tools for tackling these challenges. As a result, there is an extensive body of literature linking the accessibility of healthcare to its utilization and outcomes. Furthermore, much research has been conducted analyzing the role of various social determinants of health (SDH). It is my view, however, that between these fields lies an underexamined factor: access to health-promoting community institutions such as gyms, community centers, and libraries. Exploring this field and identifying ways to enhance access on a case-by-case basis may yield real benefits to the residents of the areas studied through improved health outcomes, without the expenses often associated with healthcare system overhaul or making drastic changes to the social structure of a community. Furthermore, such findings may be generalized to provide useful insights for communities far and wide. [From Introduction]