Comparing Stroke Mortality Trends in Rural and Urban Areas During and Before the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author Information
Author(s): Lin Vivian, DiVall Sasha, Cheng Mengyuan, Ferdows Nasim
Primary Institution: Northeastern University
Hypothesis
How did COVID-19 affect stroke mortality rates in rural versus urban areas?
Conclusion
The study found no significant differences in stroke mortality rates across different rurality levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting Evidence
- The study classified rurality into three categories: urban, rural-adjacent to an urban area, and rural non-adjacent to an urban area.
- The analysis utilized data up to 2020, covering less than a full year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- As more recent data from 2021-2022 become available, different trends may be revealed.
Takeaway
This study looked at how COVID-19 might have changed stroke death rates in cities and the countryside, but it didn't find any big differences.
Methodology
The study analyzed stroke mortality trends using data from the CDC WONDER database and County Health Rankings, adjusting for county-level characteristics.
Limitations
The limited data from the early stages of the pandemic may not fully capture the potential impact of COVID-19 on stroke mortality.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website