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RURAL AND URBAN HEALTH
In 2000, 59 million people, or approximately 21 percent
of the population, lived in a rural area.1 A variety of
factors,
including an older population, a limited supply of health
care providers, and further distances from health care
resources may contribute to special health concerns among
non-metropolitan
populations. In 2001, women living in non-metropolitan
areas were more likely to have ever been told by a health
care
provider that they have heart disease, hypertension, and
cancer than women in metropolitan areas.
Health behaviors such as physical activity, smoking,
and drinking may contribute to poorer overall health status.
Although women living in metropolitan areas were slightly
more likely to report being heavy drinkers, a higher
percentage
of women living in non-metropolitan areas were current
smokers and did not engage in regular physical activity
as compared
to women living in metropolitan areas.
 [d]
 [d]
1 U.S.
Census Bureau 2000. Census 2000 Summary File 1. Table
P2. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet [Back
to Text]
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