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What is rural? A focus on urban influence codes.
L D Baer1, K D Johnson-Webb, W M Gesler
1Cecil G. Sheps, Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
Summary
The urban influence county coding system classifies U.S. counties, revealing significant variations beyond simple metropolitan and nonmetropolitan labels. This system aids in understanding diverse rural areas for effective health policy analysis.
Area of Science:
- Rural sociology
- Public health policy
- Geographic information systems
Background:
- Standard metropolitan/nonmetropolitan classifications obscure significant population and land-use variations within U.S. counties.
- Understanding these nuances is critical for targeted policy development, especially in rural health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the Urban Influence County Coding System (UICC).
- To illustrate the application of UICC codes to U.S. counties.
- To highlight the utility of UICC for rural health policy analysis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and documentation on the Urban Influence County Coding System.
- Application and mapping of UICC codes to all U.S. counties.
- Analysis of county characteristics based on UICC categories.
Main Results:
- The UICC provides a more granular classification of counties than traditional metropolitan/nonmetropolitan designations.
- Significant heterogeneity exists within nonmetropolitan counties regarding population size, density, and urban-rural relationships.
- UICC codes effectively differentiate counties based on their level of urban proximity and influence.
Conclusions:
- The Urban Influence County Coding System offers a valuable framework for nuanced analysis of U.S. counties.
- This system enhances the understanding of diverse rural environments.
- UICC codes are a practical tool for informing and refining rural health policies.