The 'mortality gap' between urban and rural areas has tripled in just 20 years, with 'diseases of despair' far more likely to kill those living in the countryside. In rural areas it decreased from 923.8 out of every 100,000 to 834, a decrease of less than ten percent. More than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, leaving a population with already sparse options for medical care with even fewer options. More than 100 rural hospitals have closed in the past decade, including 20 last year, leaving rural Americans with little options for health care. The COVID-19 pandemic, which was not examined as part of this study, exacerbated the issue, with 20 rural hospitals closing in 2020.

Source: Daily Mail June 08, 2021 22:05 UTC