Despite living in the countryside, where open space is plentiful and there is often significant agricultural production, California’s more than half a million rural elders are far more likely to be overweight or obese, physically inactive and food insecure than their suburban counterparts, according to a new policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
 
All three conditions are risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and repeated falls — conditions also more prevalent among rural elders than among suburban elders.
 
Approximately 710,000 Californians aged 65 and over live in the countryside — almost one-fifth of all older adults in the state. Yet rural elders experience unique challenges to healthy living, including a lack of sidewalks, street lights, transportation services, access to healthy food outlets, parks, exercise facilities and health care sites. California’s rural areas are also challenged by a dearth of physicians and other primary care providers, compelling many seniors to travel long distances to seek care.

See the brief and full details here.