Rural-Urban Health Care Cost Differences Among Latinx Adults With and Without Dementia in the United States

Objectives: To compare rural-urban health care costs among Latinx adults ages 51+ and examine variations by dementia status. Methods: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2018 waves; n = 15,567). We inflation-adjusted all health care costs using the 2021 consumer price index. Geographic context and dementia status were the main exposure variables. We applied multivariate two-part generalized linear models and adjusted for sociodemographic and health characteristics.Results Rural residents had higher total health care costs, regardless of dementia status. Total health care costs were $850 higher in rural ($2,640) compared to urban ($1,789) areas (p < .001). Out-of-pocket costs were $870 higher in rural ($2,677) compared to urban ($1,806) areas (p < .001). Dementia status was not an effect modifier. Discussion: Health care costs are disproportionately higher among Latinx rural, relative to urban, residents. Addressing health care costs among Latinx rural residents is a public health priority.

Automated summary

This study compares healthcare costs among rural and urban Latinx adults aged 51 and above, finding that rural residents have higher healthcare costs regardless of dementia status. Addressing healthcare costs among Latinx rural residents is an important public health priority.