By: Brandy Whisman, CSG policy analyst
What began as a problem in concentrated in urban areas has now shifted to include non-metro areas as well. COVID-19 has had a serious impact on rural communities. Early cases of the virus popped up in mostly urban areas due to dense population, but as the numbers in urban areas like New York and Detroit begin to decline, outbreaks in rural communities are increasing.
Urban areas tend to create clusters of people living in close proximity. However, population density is only one of the drivers of COVID-19 infection and death rates. In a recent study, Kaiser Family Foundation found that while the highest number of infection rates occurred in a metro county, the highest rate of deaths per capita occurred in a rural county. Several factors contribute to the spread of the virus and prognosis of rural community members including aging populations and lack of resources.
Of the rural population, 19% are 65 and older. The virus is known to pose severe risks to people in this age group. In addition, approximately 80% of the aging population has a chronic disease. Chronic disease enhances risk of complications from contracting COVID-19. Many older adults in rural communities rely on their family for informal caregiver support, but contact with family members that may have been exposed to the virus creates a risk to older adults. In addition, many older adults in rural communities provide informal day care for the grandchildren. The CDC has provided steps to minimize risks for the aging population.
Rural health care providers face increasing shortages in resources, including equipment and trained specialists. Rural hospitals have struggled to keep the doors open for some time now. In fact, Williamson Memorial Hospital in Williamson, West Virginia closed its doors this week after filing bankruptcy last year. The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina reports that 130 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. These closures have led to a decrease in capacity to treat patients with the virus. The hospitals that remain open are not typically equipped to deal with any influx of patients. Many rural communities do not have infectious disease experts on staff. There are only two infectious disease experts in western Nebraska. Telehealth may be an opportunity to meet the need for more infectious disease experts in rural areas.
Population demographics and resource availability contribute to rural communities’ ability to combat COVID-19. State policymakers can help by communicating strategically with rural community residents, identifying opportunities to address lack of resources through innovation (like telehealth), and addressing the specific health and social needs of the aging population.
Resources for Rural Communities:
- The Southeast Health District in Georgia has developed a Communication Toolkit for rural communities. The toolkit has resources for natural, biological and chemical events, as well as nontraditional communication methods to reach the public.
- Kaiser Family Foundation has developed a site that tracks state data and policy actions. The site includes information on state social distancing measures, health policy actions, as well as testing and provider capacity.
- The Rural Health Initiative Hub provides resources on a variety of health issues in the time of COVID-19.