A new University of Hawaiʻi report reveals significant health disparities between rural and urban areas in Hawaiʻi, with even greater challenges for rural minorities and those with disabilities or living in poverty. The study, based on a survey of 1,571 residents, found that rural Hawaiians face worse overall health and more days of restricted activities due to physical and mental health issues compared to urban residents.
The disparities are particularly pronounced for certain racial and ethnic groups. For Asians, less than 70% of rural residents reported high overall health, compared to over 80% of urban Asian residents. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) made up a higher proportion of the rural sample and reported an additional 1.1 days per week affected by physical health issues compared to non-NHPI individuals.
Rural poverty exacerbates these health gaps, with less than 40% of rural residents below the poverty line reporting high overall health, versus over 50% for urban residents in poverty.
“This report helps to tell the story of how health outcomes differ in rural areas compared to more urban areas, providing the evidence base for potential policy solutions to address these challenges,” said Aimee Grace, Principal Investigator of the Rural Health Research and Policy Center.
The researchers recommend targeted policies to improve rural health outcomes, with a focus on marginalized groups. Suggested approaches include increasing medical services capacity in rural areas and providing incentives for doctors to work in rural communities.
See “Rural Hawaiʻi faces major health challenges, UH report finds” (August 26, 2024)
