Publication Date: September 30th, 2024
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Health Disparities and Health Equity, Healthcare Access, Poverty, Quality, Social Determinants of Health
Author(s): Jacobson I, Rydberg K, Tuttle M, Swendener A, MacDougall H, and Henning-Smith C
The high cost of health care affects health at both the individual and population level, and rural residents experience inequities in health, access to care, and financial well-being. However, little research has examined how health care affordability differs by rural/urban residence, and how health care affordability varies along geographic and socio-demographic dimensions within rural areas. In this policy brief, we examine rural/urban differences in rates of health care (un)affordability, as well as among rural residents by key socio-demographic characteristics.