The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has issued its first report on rural health needs and disparities in Arkansas. It makes some recommendations for action.
The UAMS release, which is on the jump, points at some highlights:
* Benton County ranks first in health outcomes, and Phillips County is 75th out of 75 counties
* Heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic low respiratory disease and unintentional injury are the five leading causes of death among Arkansans aged 1-85.
* Hypertension (high-blood pressure) increased from 25.1 percent of the state population in 1995 to 31.6 percent in 2011.
* Of the 19 counties with the highest proportion of fast-food restaurants, 10 are in or near the Delta region and six are in the southwest corner of Arkansas.