Abstract

PIP: These background tables include data on demographic characteristics, health status, and health services utilization for the US metro and nonmetro area populations. Demographic data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics and the US Bureau of the Census. Health status and health services utilization information was provided by the National Center for Health Statistics. Some highlights from these background tables follow. 1) A greater proportion of persons over 65 resided in nonmetro areas compared to metro areas in every region of the US in 1980. 2) Fewer than 1/4 of all US residents lived in nonmetro areas. 3) Overall, persons in metro and nonmetro areas sought medical attention for acute conditions at the same rate. However, there was a wide disparity in the frequency with which medical attention was sought for specific acute conditions. 4) Among all physicians, 80% practiced in metro areas and only 20% in nonmetro areas in 1985. This varied tremendously by specialty, with 65% of general and family practitioners located in metro areas and 35% in nonmetro areas. 5) 15% of all nonmetro residents were uninsured in 1984 compared to 12% in metro areas.