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Differences in health-related quality of life in rural and urban veterans

Author

Listed:
  • Weeks, W.B.
  • Kazis, L.E.
  • Shen, Y.
  • Cong, Z.
  • Ren, X.S.
  • Miller, D.
  • Lee, A.
  • Perlin, J.B.

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to determine whether disparities in health-related quality of life exist between veterans who live in rural settings and their suburban or urban counterparts. Methods. We determined health-related quality-of-life scores (physical and mental health component summaries) for 767 109 veterans who had used Veterans Health Administration services within the past 3 years. We used rural/urban commuting area codes to categorize veterans into rural, suburban, or urban residence. Results. Health-related quality-of-life scores were significantly lower for veterans who lived in rural settings than for those who lived in suburban or urban settings. Rural veterans had significantly more physical health comorbidities, but fewer mental health comorbidities, than their suburban and urban counterparts. Rural-urban disparities persisted in all survey subscales, across regional delivery networks, and after we controlled for sociodemographic factors. Conclusions. When compared with their urban and suburban counterparts, veterans who live in a rural setting have worse health-related quality-of-life scores. Policymakers, within and outside the Veterans Health Administration, should anticipate greater health care demands from rural populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Weeks, W.B. & Kazis, L.E. & Shen, Y. & Cong, Z. & Ren, X.S. & Miller, D. & Lee, A. & Perlin, J.B., 2004. "Differences in health-related quality of life in rural and urban veterans," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(10), pages 1762-1767.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2004:94:10:1762-1767_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Lianjie Wang & Yao Tang & Farnaz Roshanmehr & Xiao Bai & Farzad Taghizadeh-Hesary & Farhad Taghizadeh-Hesary, 2021. "The Health Status Transition and Medical Expenditure Evaluation of Elderly Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    2. Vaishar Antonín & Vidovićová Lucie & Figueiredo Elisabete, 2018. "Quality of Rural Life. Editorial 16 June 2018," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 10(2), pages 180-190, June.
    3. Sonia Chien-I Chen & Chenglian Liu & Ridong Hu, 2020. "Fad or Trend? Rethinking the Sustainability of Connected Health," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Olivio J Clay & Martinique Perkins & Gail Wallace & Michael Crowe & Patricia Sawyer & Cynthia J Brown, 2018. "Associations of Multimorbid Medical Conditions and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older African American Men," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(2), pages 258-266.
    5. Pei-Hung Wen & Chin-Li Lu & Carol Strong & Yih-Jyh Lin & Yao-Li Chen & Chung-Yi Li & Chiang-Chin Tsai, 2018. "Demographic and Urbanization Disparities of Liver Transplantation in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-10, January.
    6. Levi N. Bonnell & Jessica Clifton & Gail L. Rose & Elizabeth N. Waddell & Benjamin Littenberg, 2022. "Urban–Rural Differences in Mental and Physical Health among Primary Care Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Clinical Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
    7. Sonia Chien-I. Chen & Chenglian Liu, 2020. "Factors Influencing the Application of Connected Health in Remote Areas, Taiwan: A Qualitative Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.

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