Rural Health Snapshot 2010

Rural Health Snapshot 2010

Disparities in health status and access to health care exist between people living in rural areas and those in urban areas. The NC Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center prepared the Rural Health Snapshot 2010 comparing selected indicators of access to health care, health behavior/risk factors, and mortality rates, between rural to urban residents. These data were compiled using the geographic definitions from the data sets listed below.

Geographies
Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Geographic areas with a core urban area of 50,000 or more population

Non-Metropolitan Statistical Areas
Geographic areas with a core urban area of less than 50,000 or no core urban area

Micropolitan Statistical Areas
Geographic areas with a core urban area of at least 10,000 but no more than 50,000

Non-Core Based Statistical Areas
Geographic areas with a core urban area under 10,000 or no core urban area

Data Sources
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Data were obtained by an ongoing annual telephone survey conducted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Guam by the CDC. The survey collected information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury.

National Vital Statistics System Mortality Data
Data were obtained from official death records from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, New York City, and the territories as part of the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS).