Rural-Urban Inequities in Cardiovascular Health and Access to Preventive Care in the United States
Brown, Brody
Brown, Brody
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Abstract
Background To examine differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden between rural and urban adults in the United States and assess national patterns in cardiovascular health outcomes, socioeconomic factors, and access-to-care indicators. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from adults in the 2023 National Health Interview Survey. Rural and urban residence were defined using the National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme. Multivariable logistic regression examined CVD among rural and urban cohorts, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and access-related factors. Results Among 32,629 adults, 22% resided in rural areas. Rural adults had lower educational attainment, higher poverty levels, and a higher prevalence of cardiovascular conditions than urban adults. In the adjusted model, rural residence was associated with higher odds of reporting CVD (OR=1.3; 95% CI=1.2,1.4). Conclusions Rural residents experience a higher burden of CVD, indicating persistent structural and socioeconomic inequities. Efforts to reduce rural cardiovascular disparities require expanded, equitable access to preventive care, targeted resource allocation, and strengthened implementation of evidence-based CVD prevention programs, particularly in underserved and geographically isolated communities.
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Graduate Student
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Poster
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Master's of Public Health
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Larner College of Medicine
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Social Science