Rural Americans, who make up at least 15 to 20% of the U.S. population, face inequities that may result in worse health care than that of urban and suburban residents. Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from the five U.S. leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, accidental injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke) than their urban counterparts (CDC, 2017). Rural Americans also experience higher rates of chronic illness and poorer overall health than those living in urban areas. A wide range of risk factors confront rural Americans, including geographic isolation (given the great expanses of land in rural areas), and lower socio-economic status and limited job opportunities for rural residents. These risks correspond to less access to needed care, fewer medical professionals (and therefore no real pipeline for future ones) to provide needed care, and less affordable care. Rural health disparities challenge many best practices in the field of public health because no single factor—but a system of intertwined causes—explains why America’s health is poorer than the health of other wealthy countries. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) intends to commit $2,500,000 in FY 2020 to fund 4 awards.
Key Dates
Letter of Intent Due Date(s) – 30 days prior to the application due date
Filed Under: Funding Opportunities