Heart failure is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, heart failure was mentioned on 379,800 death certificates (13.4%) in 2018. But some people are more likely to get it than others. In a recent study published in JAMA Network, researchers found that people living in rural areas have a higher risk of heart failure.

The study analyzed data from 27,115 participants, 20% of which lived in rural areas. Rurality was defined by the USDA Economic Research Service. The median age of participants was 54. The researchers found that people living in rural areas were 19% more likely to develop heart failure than those living in urban areas after adjusting for age, race, gender, as well as health behaviors and socioeconomic factors. Rural black men were the most at risk for heart failure, with a 34% higher risk of heart failure than their urban counterparts. Rural white women were the second most affected group, with a 22% higher risk. 

The findings of this study have significant implications for public health policy. 14% of the United States population lives in rural areas. That’s 46 million people. Rural communities often face various health disparities, including limited access to healthcare services and resources. This can affect the management and prevention of chronic conditions like heart failure. The University of North Carolina reports that rural hospital closures across the US have increased since the 2008 recession, with 76 complete hospital closures since 2010. All of this highlights the need for healthcare infrastructure and resources in rural communities.

The JAMA study underscores the importance of raising awareness about the risk factors and warning signs of heart failure, particularly in rural communities. Some medications can make heart failure worse. Early detection and management of heart failure can improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with the condition.