GITNUXREPORT 2026

Rural Health Statistics

Rural Americans face significantly worse health outcomes due to systemic access and resource disparities.

Gitnux Team

Expert team of market researchers and data analysts.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2021, 19.3% of rural Americans lacked health insurance compared to 9.7% in urban areas

Statistic 2

Rural residents travel an average of 17.2 miles to reach the nearest hospital, double the 8.6 miles for urban residents

Statistic 3

Only 10.2% of primary care physicians practice in rural areas despite 20% of the U.S. population living there

Statistic 4

24% of rural hospitals were at risk of closure in 2022 due to financial distress

Statistic 5

Rural Medicare beneficiaries had 21% fewer mental health specialists within 60 miles compared to urban

Statistic 6

15.4% of rural adults reported delaying care due to cost versus 11.2% urban in 2020

Statistic 7

Rural areas have 39% fewer mammography facilities per 100,000 women than urban

Statistic 8

Average wait time for specialist care in rural areas is 24 days longer than urban

Statistic 9

28% of rural veterans face transportation barriers to VA care

Statistic 10

Rural counties have 1.5 times fewer urgent care centers per capita

Statistic 11

In 2019, 60% of rural Americans lived in dental health professional shortage areas

Statistic 12

Rural ERs see 20% higher no-show rates for appointments

Statistic 13

35% of rural hospitals lack obstetric services

Statistic 14

Rural broadband coverage below 25 Mbps is only 65% versus 95% urban, impacting telehealth

Statistic 15

42% of rural pharmacies closed between 2003-2021

Statistic 16

Rural patients wait 50% longer for ambulance response times, averaging 15 minutes vs. 10 urban

Statistic 17

Only 7% of rural areas have adequate public transportation for medical visits

Statistic 18

Rural cancer screening rates for colorectal are 5% lower than urban

Statistic 19

18% of rural diabetics lack access to endocrinologists within 30 miles

Statistic 20

Rural opioid treatment programs cover only 40% of high-need areas

Statistic 21

In 2020, rural telehealth utilization surged 154% but still lags urban by 20%

Statistic 22

55% of rural hospitals operate without a full-time radiologist

Statistic 23

Rural children have 12% fewer pediatricians per capita

Statistic 24

30% of rural areas are maternity care deserts

Statistic 25

Rural ER diversion rates are 3 times higher due to capacity issues

Statistic 26

Only 25% of rural hospitals have cardiac catheterization labs

Statistic 27

Rural vision care providers are 2.5 times scarcer per 100,000

Statistic 28

22% of rural adults skip preventive care due to distance

Statistic 29

Rural HIV testing sites are 60% fewer per capita

Statistic 30

Rural hearing aid access is limited, with 70% traveling over 50 miles

Statistic 31

Rural hypertension prevalence is 49% vs. 45% urban adults

Statistic 32

14.7% of rural adults have diagnosed diabetes vs. 12.2% urban

Statistic 33

Rural arthritis prevalence is 29.8% vs. 26.5% urban

Statistic 34

Rural COPD prevalence is 9.8% vs. 6.9% urban

Statistic 35

Rural heart disease prevalence is 12.1% vs. 10.8% urban

Statistic 36

27% of rural adults report poor or fair health vs. 20% urban

Statistic 37

Rural kidney disease prevalence is 3.9% vs. 3.2% urban

Statistic 38

Rural asthma prevalence among adults is 9.2% vs. 8.1% urban

Statistic 39

Rural depression prevalence is 23% vs. 19% urban

Statistic 40

Rural cancer incidence for lung is 10% higher

Statistic 41

42% of rural adults are overweight or obese vs. 38% urban

Statistic 42

Rural osteoporosis affects 15% of women over 50 vs. 12% urban

Statistic 43

Rural Parkinson's disease prevalence is 1.2% vs. 1.0% urban

Statistic 44

Rural multiple sclerosis rates are 20% higher in some regions

Statistic 45

Rural gout prevalence is 5.1% vs. 4.3% urban men

Statistic 46

Rural chronic pain affects 20.4% vs. 17.1% urban adults

Statistic 47

Rural fibromyalgia diagnosis rate is 3.5% vs. 2.9% urban women

Statistic 48

Rural thyroid disease prevalence is 12% vs. 10% urban

Statistic 49

Rural celiac disease affects 1.5% vs. 1.2% urban population

Statistic 50

Rural lupus prevalence is 0.8% vs. 0.6% urban women

Statistic 51

21% of rural adults have high cholesterol vs. 18% urban

Statistic 52

Rural sleep apnea prevalence is 15.2% vs. 13.8% urban

Statistic 53

Rural IBS affects 11% vs. 9% urban adults

Statistic 54

Rural age-adjusted mortality rate is 20% higher than urban at 607 vs. 505 per 100,000 in 2020

Statistic 55

Rural life expectancy is 2.8 years shorter, 77.3 vs. 80.1 years

Statistic 56

Rural opioid overdose death rate is 25% higher, 28.7 vs. 22.8 per 100,000 in 2021

Statistic 57

Rural heart disease death rate is 18% higher at 247 vs. 209 per 100,000

Statistic 58

Rural cancer mortality is 15% higher for both men and women

Statistic 59

Rural stroke death rate stands at 50.1 per 100,000 vs. 40.2 urban

Statistic 60

Rural chronic lower respiratory disease mortality is 37% higher, 66.4 vs. 48.5 per 100,000

Statistic 61

Rural suicide rate is 19.5 per 100,000 vs. 13.6 urban in 2021

Statistic 62

Rural infant mortality rate is 6.2 per 1,000 births vs. 5.4 urban

Statistic 63

Rural COVID-19 death rate was 20% higher during 2020-2021 peaks

Statistic 64

Rural accidental injury death rate is 72.1 per 100,000 vs. 52.3 urban

Statistic 65

Rural diabetes mortality is 12% higher at 28.9 vs. 25.8 per 100,000

Statistic 66

Rural Alzheimer's disease death rate is 22% higher, 53.2 vs. 43.6 per 100,000

Statistic 67

Rural maternal mortality ratio is 14.2 per 100,000 vs. 11.8 urban

Statistic 68

Rural firearm death rate is 50% higher at 21.2 vs. 14.1 per 100,000

Statistic 69

Rural septicemia mortality is 18% higher, 20.4 vs. 17.3 per 100,000

Statistic 70

Rural hypertension-related deaths are 10% higher

Statistic 71

Rural premature mortality (before age 75) is 16% higher

Statistic 72

Rural motor vehicle crash death rate is 24.6 per 100,000 vs. 11.0 urban

Statistic 73

Rural COPD hospitalization rates lead to 25% higher mortality post-discharge

Statistic 74

Rural colorectal cancer 5-year survival is 63% vs. 66% urban

Statistic 75

Rural drug poisoning death rate rose 425% from 1999-2020

Statistic 76

Rural liver disease mortality is 30% higher at 25.4 vs. 19.5 per 100,000

Statistic 77

Rural pneumonia mortality is 15% higher

Statistic 78

Rural obesity prevalence is 31.5% vs. 29.2% urban, contributing to comorbidities

Statistic 79

Rural smoking rate is 24% vs. 16% urban, linked to 80% higher lung cancer deaths

Statistic 80

Rural physical inactivity rate is 27.1% vs. 23.4% urban

Statistic 81

Rural obesity-related mortality accounts for 40% of excess deaths

Statistic 82

18.5 primary care physicians per 10,000 rural residents vs. 53.3 urban

Statistic 83

Rural areas have 60.4 dentists per 100,000 vs. 92.1 urban

Statistic 84

Only 4.1 psychiatrists per 10,000 rural vs. 12.5 urban

Statistic 85

Rural nurse practitioners are 18.2 per 10,000 vs. 25.4 urban

Statistic 86

21% of rural physicians are over age 65 vs. 15% urban

Statistic 87

Rural hospitals employ 18% fewer nurses per bed

Statistic 88

Only 11% of medical students choose rural practice

Statistic 89

Rural EMS workforce turnover is 25% annually vs. 15% urban

Statistic 90

70% of rural hospitals rely on contract labor for specialists

Statistic 91

Rural physician assistants are 6.5 per 10,000 vs. 10.2 urban

Statistic 92

Only 5% of residency programs are rural-based

Statistic 93

Rural pharmacists per 10,000 is 8.1 vs. 11.4 urban

Statistic 94

40% of rural health centers face staffing shortages

Statistic 95

Rural optometrists are 4.2 per 10,000 vs. 7.1 urban

Statistic 96

Rural physical therapists number 5.8 per 10,000 vs. 9.3 urban

Statistic 97

55% of rural CRNAs provide anesthesia services

Statistic 98

Rural dietitians are 2.1 per 10,000 vs. 4.5 urban

Statistic 99

Only 3% of rural hospitals have full palliative care teams

Statistic 100

Rural social workers per 10,000 is 12.4 vs. 18.7 urban

Statistic 101

65% of rural areas are primary care health professional shortage areas

Statistic 102

Rural OB-GYNs are 1.8 per 10,000 vs. 5.2 urban women

Statistic 103

Rural turnover rate for hospital CEOs is 18% vs. 12% urban

Statistic 104

Rural suicide attempts are 1.5 times higher than urban rates

Statistic 105

25% of rural adults report serious psychological distress vs. 18% urban

Statistic 106

Rural youth suicide rate is 2 times urban, 14.9 vs. 7.2 per 100,000

Statistic 107

Only 20% of rural areas have adequate mental health providers

Statistic 108

Rural depression treatment gap is 40% unserved

Statistic 109

Rural substance use disorder treatment access covers 50% less than urban

Statistic 110

30% of rural farmers report high stress levels leading to anxiety

Statistic 111

Rural PTSD prevalence among veterans is 18% vs. 14% urban

Statistic 112

Rural elderly loneliness affects 35% vs. 25% urban

Statistic 113

Rural bipolar disorder diagnosis is 2.1% vs. 1.8% urban

Statistic 114

Rural schizophrenia prevalence is 1.1% with 60% untreated

Statistic 115

Rural anxiety disorders affect 19% vs. 16% urban adults

Statistic 116

45% of rural physicians report burnout vs. 38% urban

Statistic 117

Rural teen mental health crisis calls rose 25% post-COVID

Statistic 118

Rural eating disorder rates are 8% vs. 6% urban young women

Statistic 119

Rural ADHD diagnosis in children is 10.2% vs. 9.5% urban

Statistic 120

Rural autism spectrum services reach only 30% of needs

Statistic 121

Rural dementia caregiving burden is 28% higher

Statistic 122

22% of rural adults use illicit drugs vs. 19% urban

Statistic 123

Rural alcohol use disorder prevalence is 7.5% vs. 6.8% urban

Statistic 124

Rural telepsychiatry fills only 15% of mental health gaps

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In rural America, the journey to a hospital can take twice as long, and for nearly one in five people, it's a trip taken without health insurance—and these harsh statistics represent just the beginning of a growing health crisis that sees rural residents facing a higher likelihood of preventable death and disease at every turn.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, 19.3% of rural Americans lacked health insurance compared to 9.7% in urban areas
Rural residents travel an average of 17.2 miles to reach the nearest hospital, double the 8.6 miles for urban residents
Only 10.2% of primary care physicians practice in rural areas despite 20% of the U.S. population living there
Rural age-adjusted mortality rate is 20% higher than urban at 607 vs. 505 per 100,000 in 2020
Rural life expectancy is 2.8 years shorter, 77.3 vs. 80.1 years
Rural opioid overdose death rate is 25% higher, 28.7 vs. 22.8 per 100,000 in 2021
Rural hypertension prevalence is 49% vs. 45% urban adults
14.7% of rural adults have diagnosed diabetes vs. 12.2% urban
Rural arthritis prevalence is 29.8% vs. 26.5% urban
Rural suicide attempts are 1.5 times higher than urban rates
25% of rural adults report serious psychological distress vs. 18% urban
Rural youth suicide rate is 2 times urban, 14.9 vs. 7.2 per 100,000
18.5 primary care physicians per 10,000 rural residents vs. 53.3 urban
Rural areas have 60.4 dentists per 100,000 vs. 92.1 urban
Only 4.1 psychiatrists per 10,000 rural vs. 12.5 urban

Rural Americans face significantly worse health outcomes due to systemic access and resource disparities.

Access to Healthcare

In 2021, 19.3% of rural Americans lacked health insurance compared to 9.7% in urban areas
Rural residents travel an average of 17.2 miles to reach the nearest hospital, double the 8.6 miles for urban residents
Only 10.2% of primary care physicians practice in rural areas despite 20% of the U.S. population living there
24% of rural hospitals were at risk of closure in 2022 due to financial distress
Rural Medicare beneficiaries had 21% fewer mental health specialists within 60 miles compared to urban
15.4% of rural adults reported delaying care due to cost versus 11.2% urban in 2020
Rural areas have 39% fewer mammography facilities per 100,000 women than urban
Average wait time for specialist care in rural areas is 24 days longer than urban
28% of rural veterans face transportation barriers to VA care
Rural counties have 1.5 times fewer urgent care centers per capita
In 2019, 60% of rural Americans lived in dental health professional shortage areas
Rural ERs see 20% higher no-show rates for appointments
35% of rural hospitals lack obstetric services
Rural broadband coverage below 25 Mbps is only 65% versus 95% urban, impacting telehealth
42% of rural pharmacies closed between 2003-2021
Rural patients wait 50% longer for ambulance response times, averaging 15 minutes vs. 10 urban
Only 7% of rural areas have adequate public transportation for medical visits
Rural cancer screening rates for colorectal are 5% lower than urban
18% of rural diabetics lack access to endocrinologists within 30 miles
Rural opioid treatment programs cover only 40% of high-need areas
In 2020, rural telehealth utilization surged 154% but still lags urban by 20%
55% of rural hospitals operate without a full-time radiologist
Rural children have 12% fewer pediatricians per capita
30% of rural areas are maternity care deserts
Rural ER diversion rates are 3 times higher due to capacity issues
Only 25% of rural hospitals have cardiac catheterization labs
Rural vision care providers are 2.5 times scarcer per 100,000
22% of rural adults skip preventive care due to distance
Rural HIV testing sites are 60% fewer per capita
Rural hearing aid access is limited, with 70% traveling over 50 miles

Access to Healthcare Interpretation

Living amidst breathtaking open spaces, rural America endures a breathtaking lack of medical access, where one’s health outcomes are too often mapped by zip code rather than need.

Chronic Diseases

Rural hypertension prevalence is 49% vs. 45% urban adults
14.7% of rural adults have diagnosed diabetes vs. 12.2% urban
Rural arthritis prevalence is 29.8% vs. 26.5% urban
Rural COPD prevalence is 9.8% vs. 6.9% urban
Rural heart disease prevalence is 12.1% vs. 10.8% urban
27% of rural adults report poor or fair health vs. 20% urban
Rural kidney disease prevalence is 3.9% vs. 3.2% urban
Rural asthma prevalence among adults is 9.2% vs. 8.1% urban
Rural depression prevalence is 23% vs. 19% urban
Rural cancer incidence for lung is 10% higher
42% of rural adults are overweight or obese vs. 38% urban
Rural osteoporosis affects 15% of women over 50 vs. 12% urban
Rural Parkinson's disease prevalence is 1.2% vs. 1.0% urban
Rural multiple sclerosis rates are 20% higher in some regions
Rural gout prevalence is 5.1% vs. 4.3% urban men
Rural chronic pain affects 20.4% vs. 17.1% urban adults
Rural fibromyalgia diagnosis rate is 3.5% vs. 2.9% urban women
Rural thyroid disease prevalence is 12% vs. 10% urban
Rural celiac disease affects 1.5% vs. 1.2% urban population
Rural lupus prevalence is 0.8% vs. 0.6% urban women
21% of rural adults have high cholesterol vs. 18% urban
Rural sleep apnea prevalence is 15.2% vs. 13.8% urban
Rural IBS affects 11% vs. 9% urban adults

Chronic Diseases Interpretation

The rural health landscape isn't merely a statistic; it's a chronicle of systemic neglect where every category, from blood pressure to broken spirits, tells a story of harder living with far less care.

Health Outcomes and Mortality

Rural age-adjusted mortality rate is 20% higher than urban at 607 vs. 505 per 100,000 in 2020
Rural life expectancy is 2.8 years shorter, 77.3 vs. 80.1 years
Rural opioid overdose death rate is 25% higher, 28.7 vs. 22.8 per 100,000 in 2021
Rural heart disease death rate is 18% higher at 247 vs. 209 per 100,000
Rural cancer mortality is 15% higher for both men and women
Rural stroke death rate stands at 50.1 per 100,000 vs. 40.2 urban
Rural chronic lower respiratory disease mortality is 37% higher, 66.4 vs. 48.5 per 100,000
Rural suicide rate is 19.5 per 100,000 vs. 13.6 urban in 2021
Rural infant mortality rate is 6.2 per 1,000 births vs. 5.4 urban
Rural COVID-19 death rate was 20% higher during 2020-2021 peaks
Rural accidental injury death rate is 72.1 per 100,000 vs. 52.3 urban
Rural diabetes mortality is 12% higher at 28.9 vs. 25.8 per 100,000
Rural Alzheimer's disease death rate is 22% higher, 53.2 vs. 43.6 per 100,000
Rural maternal mortality ratio is 14.2 per 100,000 vs. 11.8 urban
Rural firearm death rate is 50% higher at 21.2 vs. 14.1 per 100,000
Rural septicemia mortality is 18% higher, 20.4 vs. 17.3 per 100,000
Rural hypertension-related deaths are 10% higher
Rural premature mortality (before age 75) is 16% higher
Rural motor vehicle crash death rate is 24.6 per 100,000 vs. 11.0 urban
Rural COPD hospitalization rates lead to 25% higher mortality post-discharge
Rural colorectal cancer 5-year survival is 63% vs. 66% urban
Rural drug poisoning death rate rose 425% from 1999-2020
Rural liver disease mortality is 30% higher at 25.4 vs. 19.5 per 100,000
Rural pneumonia mortality is 15% higher
Rural obesity prevalence is 31.5% vs. 29.2% urban, contributing to comorbidities
Rural smoking rate is 24% vs. 16% urban, linked to 80% higher lung cancer deaths
Rural physical inactivity rate is 27.1% vs. 23.4% urban
Rural obesity-related mortality accounts for 40% of excess deaths

Health Outcomes and Mortality Interpretation

The bucolic fantasy of rural life is statistically betrayed by a grim reality where the air is fresher but the lifespans are shorter, the communities tighter but the healthcare gaps wider, and the pace slower but the mortality rates alarmingly faster across virtually every major category of disease and despair.

Healthcare Workforce and Resources

18.5 primary care physicians per 10,000 rural residents vs. 53.3 urban
Rural areas have 60.4 dentists per 100,000 vs. 92.1 urban
Only 4.1 psychiatrists per 10,000 rural vs. 12.5 urban
Rural nurse practitioners are 18.2 per 10,000 vs. 25.4 urban
21% of rural physicians are over age 65 vs. 15% urban
Rural hospitals employ 18% fewer nurses per bed
Only 11% of medical students choose rural practice
Rural EMS workforce turnover is 25% annually vs. 15% urban
70% of rural hospitals rely on contract labor for specialists
Rural physician assistants are 6.5 per 10,000 vs. 10.2 urban
Only 5% of residency programs are rural-based
Rural pharmacists per 10,000 is 8.1 vs. 11.4 urban
40% of rural health centers face staffing shortages
Rural optometrists are 4.2 per 10,000 vs. 7.1 urban
Rural physical therapists number 5.8 per 10,000 vs. 9.3 urban
55% of rural CRNAs provide anesthesia services
Rural dietitians are 2.1 per 10,000 vs. 4.5 urban
Only 3% of rural hospitals have full palliative care teams
Rural social workers per 10,000 is 12.4 vs. 18.7 urban
65% of rural areas are primary care health professional shortage areas
Rural OB-GYNs are 1.8 per 10,000 vs. 5.2 urban women
Rural turnover rate for hospital CEOs is 18% vs. 12% urban

Healthcare Workforce and Resources Interpretation

The data paints a bleakly comedic picture: the rural American healthcare system is essentially running on a skeleton crew of valiant, aging generalists who are desperately trying to cover for every missing specialist, while the support staff is perpetually revolving out the door.

Mental Health

Rural suicide attempts are 1.5 times higher than urban rates
25% of rural adults report serious psychological distress vs. 18% urban
Rural youth suicide rate is 2 times urban, 14.9 vs. 7.2 per 100,000
Only 20% of rural areas have adequate mental health providers
Rural depression treatment gap is 40% unserved
Rural substance use disorder treatment access covers 50% less than urban
30% of rural farmers report high stress levels leading to anxiety
Rural PTSD prevalence among veterans is 18% vs. 14% urban
Rural elderly loneliness affects 35% vs. 25% urban
Rural bipolar disorder diagnosis is 2.1% vs. 1.8% urban
Rural schizophrenia prevalence is 1.1% with 60% untreated
Rural anxiety disorders affect 19% vs. 16% urban adults
45% of rural physicians report burnout vs. 38% urban
Rural teen mental health crisis calls rose 25% post-COVID
Rural eating disorder rates are 8% vs. 6% urban young women
Rural ADHD diagnosis in children is 10.2% vs. 9.5% urban
Rural autism spectrum services reach only 30% of needs
Rural dementia caregiving burden is 28% higher
22% of rural adults use illicit drugs vs. 19% urban
Rural alcohol use disorder prevalence is 7.5% vs. 6.8% urban
Rural telepsychiatry fills only 15% of mental health gaps

Mental Health Interpretation

The statistics paint a grimly ironic portrait: rural America is being psychologically hollowed out, not by a lack of strength, but by a systemic and devastating scarcity of the care its people desperately need and deserve.

Sources & References

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