Document Type
Policy Brief
Publication Date
4-24-2019
Keywords
MRHRC, Access, Preventive health, women's health, rural, vaccines, cancer screening, women
Abstract
Preventive health services and screenings are an important component in the continuum of care provided to individuals across all ages. Yet, research has shown that rural residents generally use fewer preventive health services and screenings. This study used the National Health Interview Survey to examine receipt of preventive health services (cholesterol check, fasting blood sugar test, mammogram, pap smear, and receipt of the HPV vaccine) by rural and urban women over the age of 18. Findings indicate that rural women were less likely than their urban peers to receive preventive health services, and that some of the differences may be explained by rural-urban differences in sociodemographic characteristics. However, even when controlling for these characteristics, lower use of mammogram or HPV vaccine among rural remained. Outreach efforts targeted to rural women, along with policies and programs designed to improve access to rural women’s cancer screening and HPV participation, are needed.
Funding Organization
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Grant Number
CA#U1CRH03716
Recommended Citation
Ziller E, Lenardson J, Paluso N, Janis J. Preventive Health Service Use among Rural Women. Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center; April, 2019. PB-73.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health Policy Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Public Policy Commons, Women's Health Commons
Comments
For more information on this study, please contact Erika Ziller at erika.ziller@maine.edu