Longstanding Rural-Urban Disparities Exacerbated by COVID-19: The Experiences of Older Residents in West Texas: Lessons Learned

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to examine differences in COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, symptoms, preventive measures, and healthcare resources and services between urban- and rural-dwelling older adults of the West Texas region. Methods: Data from surveys of 303 adult urban and rural residents (>40 years old) between June 2020 and January 2021 were conducted. County-level data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) were analyzed for the period between March 2020 and February 2021. Findings: County-level data from TDSHS revealed greater access to COVID-19 testing and higher case numbers yet lower COVID-19 fatalities among urban residents. On the contrary, rural counties had fewer overall COVID-19 cases, less access to COVID-19 testing, and higher COVID-19 fatalities. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic exasperated the long-standing healthcare disparities documented between rural and urban neighborhoods, resulting in devastating consequences in rural areas suffering from poor healthcare infrastructure. Findings revealed disparities in COVID-19 experiences among urban and rural communities, which highlight the need for strategies aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas through telemedicine and other innovative approaches.