Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis

First Advisor

Dr. Kate Cooper

Abstract

Disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban populations remain a persistent and pressing challenge in the United States, particularly among vulnerable groups such as individuals with disabilities, racial minorities, and low-income communities. These disparities are shaped by complex interactions among geographic, socioeconomic, and demographic factors, leading to unequal health outcomes and limited access to essential services. This study aims to analyze these disparities over the past decade and regional variations in public insurance utilization. Using a mixed-methods approach, the analysis integrates five national datasets: Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE), National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Area Health Resource Files (AHRF), National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA), and the American Community Survey (ACS). The study employs descriptive, spatial, and multivariate analyses to assess patterns in healthcare access, facility availability, workforce density, and insurance coverage across urban and rural settings. Findings indicate that health disparities are most strongly associated with income level, urban-rural classification, and regional population growth—rather than race, provider counts, or clinic availability alone. The Southern region and non-metropolitan areas consistently reported worse health outcomes despite comparable infrastructure. These results suggest that improving healthcare equity will require not only expanding access to services but also addressing underlying socioeconomic inequalities. Policymakers should prioritize region-specific interventions and socioeconomic support to close persistent health gaps.

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