Rural children are more likely to experience health problems based on their surroundings, according to The Rural Blog. A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services details how rural children are more adversely affected by their environment, their socioeconomic status, their own and their families’ health behaviors, and their access to quality clinical care. For example, rural children are more likely to be obese and live with someone who smokes.
Almost one in four rural children ages 4 to 17 has the potential for a mental health problem, but 80 percent of those children live in areas that lack mental health services.
75 percent of areas with inadequate dental care are rural. In addition, rural counties average only two obstetricians per every 1,000 women. That’s compared to 35 obstetricians for every 1,000 women in urban areas.
Some rural areas also lack hospitals. Rural areas have seen hospital closings as some states have refused to expand state Medicaid programs.