Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Minority Health and Health Equity Resources

Minority Health and Health Equity Resources

                        Alzheimer's Disease
          Asthma
          Clinical Trial Diversity
          Colorectal Cancer
          Diabetes
          Heart Disease
          Hepatitis B
          Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
          Hypertension
          Immunization
          Lupus
          Rural Health
          Sickle Cell Disease
          Stroke
          Commercial Tobacco Use in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
          Tobacco Use Home
          For Consumers
          Minority Health and Health Equity
          Minority Health and Health Equity Resources
          Rural HealthMinority Health and Health Equity Resources Rural Health
  
  	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintImage
              Women gardeningFact Sheet: Download and Share    Infographic: Download and Share

Nearly 1 in 5 people in the United States live in rural areas. Rural residents tend to be older and are at higher risk for poor health outcomes than urban residents.

What is rural health?

Rural health is the health of people living in rural areas, who generally are located farther from health care facilities and other services than people living in urban areas. More than 46 million people in the United States (15% of the population) live in rural areas. There are more older adults, people with disabilities, and veterans living in rural areas. Rural areas tend to have higher rates of people who do not have health insurance and who have limited access to health care services because many medical centers in rural areas are closing.

What are rural health disparities?

People living in rural areas are generally at higher risk of disease and death than people living in urban areas. These differences in risk are known as rural health disparities. Rural residents are at greater risk of death from:

Heart disease
	Cancer
	Stroke
	Unintentional injury (for example: motor vehicle death, opioid overdose and other substance abuse)
	Chronic lower respiratory diseaseRural residents also are more likely to have multiple health conditions compared to people living in other areas.

Heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis are examples of health conditions that are more common in rural areas.

Within rural areas, members of racial/ethnic minority, tribal, and other diverse groups are at higher risk for poor health outcomes. American Indian/Alaska Native, African American, and Hispanic/Latino adults living in rural areas reported higher rates of fair or poor health compared to non-Hispanic white adults. Rural African American and American Indian/Alaska Native adults are more likely to have multiple chronic health conditions than non-Hispanic white adults.

What causes rural health disparities?

Factors that put people living in rural areas at greater risk for poor health outcomes include:

Less access to care because of fewer health care providers, medical facilities, and transportation options
	Exposures to specific environmental hazards, such as pollution and poor air and water quality
	Higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity
	Less leisure-time physical activity
	Lower seatbelt use
	Food deserts, areas with fewer grocery options and lower availability of healthy foods
	Higher rates of poverty and less likelihood of having health insuranceRural health and clinical trials

To find a health care provider in your area, visit **findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov**.

The FDA encourages diverse participation in clinical trials. If you think a clinical trial may be right for you, talk to your health care provider. You can also search for clinical trials in your area at **www.ClinicalTrials.gov**.

For more information on health equity, visit **www.fda.gov/healthequity**.

Download Rural Health Resources

Fact Sheet: Rural Health
	Infographic: What Is Rural Health?

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      06/22/2021Minority Health and Health Equity Resources

          
                        Alzheimer's Disease
          Asthma
          Clinical Trial Diversity
          Colorectal Cancer
          Diabetes
          Heart Disease
          Hepatitis B
          Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
          Hypertension
          Immunization
          Lupus
          Rural Health
          Sickle Cell Disease
          Stroke
          Commercial Tobacco Use in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations
          Tobacco Use
 Subscribe to the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity email updates
                          Get regular FDA email updates delivered on this topic to your inbox.
    Enter your email address to subscribe:
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop