Access to Health Care and Rates of Mortality and Utilization for the Elderly in Rural America (open access)

Access to Health Care and Rates of Mortality and Utilization for the Elderly in Rural America

The aging experience of men and women in rural America is different than that of their urban counterparts. In this study, I identified key disparities in access to health care, mortality, and utilization of health care that result from geographic location. Foundational theories are discussed to illustrate that disparities can originate from historical societal behaviors. Secondary data and literary reviews create a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to explore the rural/urban divide, concluding that the potential for increased disparities as the aging population grows is very real and rural residents remain vulnerable to a poor(er) aging experience. Recommendations for policy and practice, as well as additional research, are made to address the conclusion.
Date: May 2018
Creator: Johnson, Barbara Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library