By Lynn Hatter
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Tallahassee, FL – People living in rural areas have less access to health care and worse overall health. That's according to a new study released by United Health Care. Lynn Hatter reports it echoes other studies on rural health done in Florida and across the nation.
The study, sponsored by United Health Care, confirms earlier studies. Rural Americans tend to be older, poorer and rely heavily on Medicaid and Medicare. They also struggle with not having enough doctors and specialists nearby. Michael Radu is with United Healthcare.
"In the state of Florida, for every hundred-thousand individuals, if you are living in an urban area there are about 95 primary care physicians available to you. In a rural area, the number is half that amount."
Radu says rural Americans also suffer from more serious diseases, like diabetes, substance abuse, and obesity. It also takes longer to reach a doctor, with rural Americans having to travel up to 60-miles. And, because rural populations tend to be poorer and older, such a trek can be both expensive and difficult.