Examining Risk Factors for Poor Health Among U.S. Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas: Injury, Food Insecurity, and Lack of Social and Emotional Support

rural health ClinicAmong key findings in this brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center:

  • Nearly 30 percent of rural and urban older adults reported experiencing at least one of the selected risk factors (injury, food insecurity, or lack of social and emotional support).
  • Of the three risk factors, lack of social and emotional support was the most common, reported by over 18 percent of older adults from both rural and urban areas.
  • Injury was the second-most reported risk factor and was more commonly reported by rural than urban older adults.
  • Food insecurity was experienced by a slightly higher percentage of rural older adults than those in urban areas.