Health disparities in rural areas
Some policies and practices have led to health risks and challenges, and related long-term health outcomes, for people living in certain geographic areas.
People in rural areas are less likely to be covered by policies that protect and promote health:
People living in rural counties lack health insurance at higher rates than those living in urban areas.1 Uninsured people have worse health and die sooner than people with health insurance.
People living in rural areas may face barriers when accessing health care services, such as long travel times to reach care and decreased availability of public health and health care services.
People in rural areas may face greater occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and other forms of unhealthy air on the job, both in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, than people who work in urban areas.
People who grow and harvest tobacco can be exposed to workplace injuries and nicotine poisoning (also known as green tobacco sickness).5 The Fair Labor Standards Act prohibits children under age 16 from doing agriculture work deemed hazardous, but the U.S. Department of Labor has not included exposure to tobacco leaves or plants in its rules about hazardous jobs.
There are also other reasons—like the ones explored below—that help explain why commercial tobacco affects the health of people in some geographic areas.
Source : Cdc
