For Decades, the Top Rural Health Issue Has Been Access to Basic Care; Now It's Mental Health and Addiction

Mental health and addiction are the most concerning rural health issues, topping access to healthcare for the first time in 20 years according to the Rural Healthy People 2030 survey from the Southwest Rural Health Resource Center. A survey author cites the opioid epidemic alongside the COVID-19 pandemic as well as improvements in access brought about by the Affordable Care Act as possible reasons for this change.
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - Category: Rural Health Source Type: news