America .. high mortality rates in the heart of the countryside

In a recent study, presented in the American Heart Association Sessions for the year 2024 and published in the American College of Cardiology Journal, a noticeable increase in the death rates caused by cardiovascular diseases among adults living in rural areas. The study was based on the analysis of the death certificates -data for more than 11 million American adults between 2010 and 2022, and focused on the comparison between rural areas and major cities exceeding the population of one million people. The results of the study showed that the death rates of heart disease increased by 21% among adults from the age of 25-64 in rural areas, while falling by about 9% among adults over 65 in urban areas. The study indicated that the corona pandemic significantly contributed to the aggravation of this inequality, as the rate of heart deaths increased more in rural areas compared to urban areas to the pandemic. The study showed that the heart rate in rural areas increased by 0.8% between 2010 and 2022, while in urban areas fell by 6.4%. The rate of heart deaths increased by 21% in the latest age group (25-64 years), while the increase in urban areas was only 3%. On the other hand, the largest age group (65 years or older) was a significant decrease in death rates, by 4.4% in rural areas and 8.5% in urban areas. The health conditions, the lead author of the study, Lucas Marinaki, says that “the weakened health conditions in rural areas at the rate, especially with regard to heart disease and metabolism, made this category more vulnerable to direct and indirect consequences, the new Corona Corona Corona Shurah.” ‘Marinaki’ added that the contributing factors such as the weakening of control over the risk factors, health care interruptions and the economic and social challenges that exacerbated after the pandemic increased the ID gap in death figures. The researchers note that this inequality is due to unique challenges facing rural communities with regard to heart health, including high levels of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, in addition to limited access to specialized healthcare, such as advanced heart techniques. Rural hospitals are under great pressure, including the closure of some of them and the lack of doctors, which led to the decline of the population’s ability to achieve appropriate health care. Innovative solutions must be implemented to improve heart health in rural areas, to present a visit to remote care with specialists and accept policies to resist the ability to withstand healthcare costs; According to the researchers. The researchers have recommended the need for the implementation of public health initiatives to reduce the risk factors among adults in the working age in rural areas, in addition to supporting the presence of community health workers to link the rural population to healthcare teams and the resources needed to manage chronic illnesses. The researchers emphasized the need for government policies that increase access to health care and improve insurance coverage, which can contribute to reducing inequality in the death rates of heart disease between rural and urban areas.