New research shows that deaths related to cardiovascular disease have increased across the U.S., and the increase is drastically higher in rural areas than urban ones.
A new advisory from the American Heart Association shows between 2010 and 2022, cardiovascular death rates increased 21% among young adults in rural areas such as South Dakota, but only increased 3% in young people in urban areas.
Karen Joynt-Maddox chairs the Heart Association’s presidential advisory and says the change is due to a combination of increased risk factors in rural areas.
“And if you put that on top of a real problem with healthcare infrastructure and access in rural areas, you sort of have a perfect storm for worsening cardiovascular health.”
Joynt-Maddox says traditional risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, which have been increasing in rural areas over the last few decades. She says other contributing factors include poverty, food insecurity, depression and substance abuse disorders.
Tim Nikolai with the American Heart Association in the Midwest says rural communities have less access to resources like health care and grocery stores with fresh produce. He says health care providers are stretched thin.
“It stretched hospitals and health care providers to try to serve the needs of their community the best way they can. And that’s something we’re trying to collaborate with them on, is how can they meet people where they are?”
Nikolai says access to high speed internet can also have an impact on health outcomes.
Story courtesy of the Greater Dakota News Service.
Comments