This study uses data from a 1997 household survey, the National Survey of America's Families (NSAF), which provides a representative sample of the noninstitutionalized, nonelderly population nationwide. The NSAF oversamples the low income population and the population of 13 target states. The analysis is based on the national sample but also explores state specific differences in the eight target states that have significant rural populations. Multivariate regression models are used to explore differences in a range of health care indicators across rural and urban areas. The indicators include insurance coverage, access to and satisfaction with care, unmet need for health care (medical and dental), and health services utilization. We explicitly consider the extent to which higher income families are able to use their resources to overcome the well-established access problems associated with living in rural areas. Rural areas are divided into those that are adjacent to metropolitan areas and those that are more remote. The models are estimated for adults and children separately and control for age, health status, gender, race/ethnicity, immigration status, family income, work status, and provider supply. Interaction terms are used to examine how rural/urban differences might vary with family income.
Learning Objectives: Describe the role of family income on rural/urban health differences
Keywords: Rural Populations, Economic Analysis
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.