Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 1, 2020

Half of Rural Residents at High Risk of Serious Illness Due to COVID‐19, Creating Stress on Rural Hospitals

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  • Based on data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 50% of rural residents are at high risk for hospitalization and serious illness if they were to be infected with COVID-19, compared to 47% “micropolitan” and 40% in metropolitan areas. 
  • Kaufman et al. estimate that rural residents will generate an estimated 10% more hospitalizations for COVID-19 per capita than urban residents given equal infection rates. 

Kaufman et al. (June 30, 2020). Half of Rural Residents at High Risk of Serious Illness Due to COVID‐19, Creating Stress on Rural Hospitals. The Journal of Rural Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12481