Is minority health a problem in rural communities?
Yes. It is a stereotype to associate rural poverty with whites and urban poverty with minorities. The poverty gap between minorities and non-minorities is often greater in rural communities than in urban communities since economic resources can be more tightly constrained and limited. Also, many rural communities have limited access to health care because rural communities are often understaffed by health care professionals. Throughout the United States, more than 50% of Latinos, African Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Natives are poor or near poor, as compared with 26% of whites and 33% of Asian/Pacific Islanders. Source: Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity, & Medical Care, 2007 Update. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, February 2007.
