COVID-19 Mortality Is Much Higher Among Rural Americans Compared to Their Urban Counterparts

Mortality rates for rural Americans are twice as high as Americans living in urban areas. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in 434 rural Americans is dead due to infection with SARS-CoV-2. This rate is one in 513 for urban Americans. Currently, COVID-19 rates are more than 50% higher in rural areas vs urban regions; thus, the death toll among rural Americans is expected to climb. Reasons behind this discrepancy include low vaccination rates, poorer health, and increased barriers to medical care experienced by individuals living in rural areas of the United States. Click here to read more.