Analysis of rural quality of life and health: A spatial approach

This article examines the relationship between quality of life, health, and several socioeconomic variables. It draws on survey data from a random sample of more than 2,000 residents in 21 counties in West Virginia and spatial data generated by geocoding survey respondents' addresses and hospital locations. The empirical results are consistent with the theoretical predictions and indicate, for instance, that quality-of-life satisfaction increases with income and education but decreases with unemployment. Also, the results support the notion that inferences drawn regarding substantive issues often change when spatial dependence is taken into account.