Living in rural America increases your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, despite common perceptions that open spaces with less pollution are better for overall health. A new study found that rural residents have a higher risk of five out of six cardiac risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and hyperlipidemia.
Researchers from Massachusetts and Missouri analyzed data from 27,200 adults over 20 years old, comparing rural and urban residents. The results showed that people living in rural areas had a 19% higher risk of high blood pressure, a 27% higher risk of obesity, and a 12.5% higher risk of diabetes.
The study also found that rural Americans are more likely to experience poverty, food insecurity, and lower education levels, which contribute to poorer health outcomes. The researchers suggest that addressing socioeconomic conditions in rural America may be crucial for improving cardiovascular health.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14555839/rural-America-urban-heart-disease-study.html