Rural-Urban Differences Seen in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, CVD
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, April 8, 2025 -- There are substantial rural-urban disparities in cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases among U.S. adults, according to a study published online March 31 in JAMA Cardiology.
Michael Liu, from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, and colleagues assessed differences in the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases between rural and urban areas of the United States, as well as contributing factors (e.g., health care access, lifestyle factors, and social risk factors). The analysis included 27,172 adults (aged 20 years and older) participating in the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
The researchers found that compared with their urban counterparts, rural adults were more likely to smoke, be insufficiently physically active, and have more social risk factors. In rural areas, age-standardized rates of cardiometabolic risk factors were significantly higher, including hypertension (37.1 versus 30.9 percent), hyperlipidemia (29.3 versus 26.7 percent), obesity (41.1 versus 30.0 percent), and diabetes (11.2 versus 9.8 percent). A similar pattern was seen for coronary heart disease (6.7 versus 4.3 percent) but not stroke. The greatest rural-urban disparities were seen among young adults (aged 20 to 39 years) for hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Rural-urban disparities in cardiovascular health remained after adjusting for measures of health care access and lifestyle factors. Rural-urban disparities in hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease were completely attenuated when accounting for social risk factors (poverty, education level, food insecurity, and home ownership).
"These findings suggest that efforts to improve socioeconomic conditions in rural communities may be critical to address the rural-urban gap in cardiovascular health," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted April 2025
Read this next
Seniors With RSV-Linked Hospitalization Have Increased Cardiovascular Outcomes
THURSDAY, July 24, 2025 -- In older adults, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular outcome, especially heart failure events...
Increased Risk for CVD Seen for Women With Premenstrual Disorders
THURSDAY, July 17, 2025 -- Women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), according to a study published online July 11 in...
Consistent Physical Activity Linked to Reduced All-Cause, CVD Mortality
FRIDAY, July 11, 2025 -- Consistently and increasingly accumulated physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.