The study looked over 6 million people in Ontario and the risk of stroke depending whether they lived in a rural community or urban. A rural community of less than 10,000.
Study lead author with the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Moira Kapral says the research did not examine the cause of the disparity, but the risk factors and medical care provided to people.
“People living in rural areas were more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors such as: smoking, over weight, and poor cardiovascular health. Also, they were most likely to be tested for the presence of high cholesterol and diabetes, and if they had diabetes they were most likely to be treated.”
Life away from the city can appear to be the most healthy. According to the research, the smoking and obesity rates were higher, while staying active and consuming fruits and vegetables were lower.
She adds that gaps almost vanished once people had a stroke and survived.
“There is a higher risk of a second stroke in rural community. The good news it’s that, if someone had a stroke and they get into the medical care system, they can be treated for secondary prevention.”
In the research, 81% of the urban population were tested for diabetes comparing to 71% of the rural residents. Kapral says the 
main reason is related to scarce medical care.
“Rural communities have less health care providers and availability to get care. But medical care is part of the problem and part of the solution.”
Kapral says that a healthy public policy and improving access to healthy food is a big part of the solution to this issue.
