Difference in rural and urban mortality: implications for health education and promotion

Rural health care delivery is often inferior to that of urban areas. Although health services do not have to be identical in the two settings, quality services appropriate for the needs of rural communities are imperative. Moreover, health education and promotion should be seen as an immediate and viable strategy for (a) reducing risk factors and health care needs, and (b) increasing the cost effectiveness of existing services. The appropriateness and prioritization of health care services and health education/promotion can only be realized if health professionals are aware of rural versus urban needs. To facilitate our knowledge of such differences, the mortality rates of the 10 leading causes of death were compared for each county in Ohio and differences between rural and urban mortality were analyzed. Counties were categorized according to "density" (persons per square mile) and "percent urban" (percent of county area classified as urban). The analysis demonstrated that there were no significant differences between rural and urban counties in mortality due to cancer, pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and suicide. Mortality related to cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, accidents, and influenza/pneumonia was significantly higher in rural counties, while deaths due to chronic liver disease were significantly greater in urban counties.