Poorer Health for Florida's Rural Residents, Says New Study
Thursday, July 28, 2011
By: Lynn Hatter, Florida Public Radio

July 28, 2011 | WMFE - People living in rural areas have less access to health care and worse overall health. That's according to a new study released by United Health Care. The report echoes other studies on rural health done in Florida and across the nation.

The study, sponsored by United Health Care says rural Americans tend to be older, poorer and rely heavily on Medicaid and Medicare. They also struggle with not having enough doctors and specialists nearby, according to the report.

“In the state of Florida, for every 100,000 individuals, if you are living in an urban area there are about 95 primary care physicians available to you," says Michael Radu of United Healthcare. "In a rural area, the number is half that amount.”

Radu says rural Americans also suffer from more serious diseases, like diabetes, substance abuse, and obesity.  It also takes longer to reach a doctor, with rural Americans having to travel up to 60 miles. Such a trek can be both expensive and difficult.