Income characteristics of rural older women and implications for health status

This review examines the relationship between rural residence, income, and health status for older women in the U.S. Little published research has focused on the interaction between financial status and the specific health-related needs of these rural women. Both descriptive data from the 1990 U.S. Census and empirical data from the health care literature are analyzed. Gender, rural residence, and poverty are identified as risk factors fur reduced access to health care services, lower rates of health care service utilization, and poorer health outcomes.