Health care access in rural areas: evidence that hospitalization for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions in the United States may increase with the level of rurality.
We examined whether levels of rurality are associated with hospitalization for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSH) in eight states of the United States. ACSH is an indicator of access to reasonably effective primary health care. ACSH for children did not vary systematically with rurality. Compared to the most urban counties, the adjusted rate in the most rural was 90% greater for ages 18-64 and 45% greater for ages 65+ (both p<.001). Adjusted adult rates generally increased with the level of rurality.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing levels of rurality may be positively associated with ACSH, suggesting rural disparities in access to primary health care.
Laditka
James N
JN
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. jladitka@uncc.edu
Laditka
Sarah B
SB
Probst
Janice C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult