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Description

Rural community residents face significant healthcare disparities, particularly in chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Limited healthcare provider availability may contribute to these health challenges, potentially exacerbating poor health outcomes. This study analyzes healthcare provider availability and its relationship to chronic disease prevalence in rural vs. urban North Carolina and Alabama counties. Using data from outpatient facilities and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this research examines disparities in healthcare provider density, diabetes rates, and obesity prevalence. Results show rural counties have lower provider availability per 10,000 residents and higher chronic disease rates. Diabetes prevalence is 11.1% in rural vs. 10.2% in urban areas, with greater variability in rural regions. Obesity follows a similar trend, with rural prevalence at 35.2% vs. 32.5% in urban areas. Alabama shows comparable disparities, with even higher obesity rates. Provider availability further underscores these gaps. Rural provider density is 0.00096 per 10,000 residents vs. 0.00289 in urban areas. This pattern persists in Alabama. This highlights the urgency of addressing healthcare access gaps. Future research will explore HIV and overdose rates, along with age distribution, unemployment, income, and broadband usage to understand socioeconomic influences on chronic disease. This study aims to inform policy discussions on improving healthcare access in underserved rural communities..

Publication Date

4-1-2025

Keywords

rural health disparities, healthcare access, chronic disease prevalence, obesity, diabetes, provider availability, rural vs. urban health, North Carolina, Alabama, healthcare provider density, public health policy, healthcare inequity, underserved communities, socioeconomic factors, health outcomes, health services research

Analyzing Healthcare Provider Availability and Chronic Disease Prevalence in Rural Areas

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