Life in Rural America
2018
This report from NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shares findings from a poll examining the lives of rural Americans. Conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,300 adults living in the rural U.S., the poll illuminates the complex social, political, economic, and demographic landscape that shapes the health and wellbeing of rural communities. Rural Americans identify drug addiction and economic concerns as the two biggest problems facing their communities. However, some of these findings vary by region, age, racial/ethnic background, and education level. Despite the overwhelming nature of the challenges facing their communities, rural Americans remain optimistic and acknowledge the aspects of life in a small town that contribute to community resilience. Half of rural adults believe that these major problems can be solved with the next five years, and a majority are confident this is possible with outside help. The accompanying press release summarizes key findings, which are also discussed in an upcoming Forum at the Harvard Chan School, “The Health and Economic Concerns of Rural Americans.”
Source:
Life in Rural America. National Public Radio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 2018. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2018/10/life-in-rural-america.html.