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Rural and Urban Differences in COVID‐19 Prevention Behaviors
Author(s) -
Callaghan Timothy,
Lueck Jennifer A.,
Trujillo Kristin Lunz,
Ferdinand Alva O.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12556
Subject(s) - ideology , covid-19 , public health , politics , environmental health , rural area , psychology , gerontology , medicine , socioeconomics , political science , sociology , nursing , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
Purpose To examine whether the adoption of COVID‐19‐related preventive health behaviors vary in rural versus urban communities of the United States while accounting for the influence of political ideology, demographic factors, and COVID‐19 experiences. Methods We rely on a representative survey of 5009 American adults collected from May 28 to June 8, 2020. We analyze the influence of rural status, political ideology, demographic factors, and COVID‐19 experiences on self‐reported adoption of 8 COVID‐19‐related preventive health behaviors. Findings Rural residents are significantly less likely to have worn a mask in public, sanitized their home or workplace with disinfectant, avoided dining at restaurants or bars, or worked from home. These findings, with the exception of dining out, are robust to the inclusion of measures accounting for political ideology, demographic factors, and COVID‐19 experiences. Conclusions Rural residents are significantly less likely to participate in several COVID‐19‐related preventive health behaviors. This reality could exacerbate existing disparities in health access and outcomes for rural Americans. Health messaging targeted at improving COVID‐19 preventive behavior adoption in rural America is warranted.