LOS ANGELES, March 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. researchers have discovered higher rates of heart disease and poorer heart health among adults living in rural communities compared to those in urban areas, along with the factors likely driving these disparities, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which funded the study.
The research team found that adults living in rural areas were more likely to experience heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes than those in large cities, the NIH said on Monday.
Among all age groups, the differences in high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes were most significant for adults aged 20 to 39 living in rural areas compared to their urban counterparts.
The investigators analyzed data from over 27,000 adults who participated in the 2022 U.S. National Health Interview Survey to examine geographical differences in heart disease rates and risk factors for conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
The study found that factors like income levels, education, food security, and homeownership were key contributors to the higher rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes in rural areas, according to the NIH. ■
