Disparities in rural health: Results of a community health assessment in a micropolitan community in rural Iowa

This abstract is being submitted for consideration for inclusion in the Special Sessions on Rural Health Disparities Research has shown that residents of rural communities experience significant disparities in access to care and management of chronic health problems compared to residents of urban areas. Less is known about how these disparities exist in the micropolitan cities of rural counties. Wapello County, Iowa is a mostly rural county and is home to Ottumwa, Iowa, a micropolitan community of 25,000. Wapello is ranked 94th of the 99 Iowa counties in overall health indictors by the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program. Compared to counties where cities, such as Des Moines, Chicago, and Detroit are located, Wapello County has consistently higher levels of physical inactivity and teen pregnancy, as well as more self-reported poor physical health days per month. To address these health disparities, the University of Iowa Prevention Research Center has established a community-academic partnership led by an Ottumwa based Community Advisory Board (CAB). This abstract will present results of one of the Partnership's first activities- a community health assessment. The health assessment includes a random sample survey of adults age 18 and over in the community. The survey consists of questions about quality of life (QOL), community engagement, and social and physical perceptions of the community, health behaviors and demographic information. In addition, the Partnership is conducting assessment activities using qualitative data collection methods to assess 1) social support networks among the elderly, 2) Latino men's health issues, and 3) presence and vitality of community resources. Results of these assessment activities will be discussed in relation to rural health disparities