A COMPARISON OF HEALTH STATUS BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN ADULTS

The objective of the study was to examine and compare health status between rural and urban adults. The data are from a 1993 statewide probability-based telephone survey of adult Kentuckians (n = 662). Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) residents (n = 264) and nonMSA residents (n = 398) were compared using the Medical Outcomes Study, Short Form Health Survey (SF-20). Self-perceived urban (n = 406) and rural (n = 256) residents were also compared. Additional analyses were stratified by the age categories of 18-44, 45-64, and ≥65 years of age. Few differences in health status existed between rural and urban adults. However, rural elders (≥65 years) had significantly poorer health status than urban elders. After controlling for demographic variables in multiple regressions, rural elders had significantly poorer functioning (all p