The Article in Brief

Blacks living in rural areas not only have higher rates of diabetes and hypertension than urban blacks and both rural and urban whites, according to this study they also have significantly worse control of the diseases. Researchers found that rural blacks with diabetes have higher blood glucose levels, and rural blacks with hypertension have higher diastolic blood pressure than other groups with the same conditions. Efforts are needed to address the health problems of patients living in rural areas, especially those who are of lower income and are black. The authors of this study call for more people, programs, and resources to address these important health needs.