Racial and Ethnic Disparities Shouldered by Rural Americans: Evidence from the Peer-Reviewed and Grey Literature on the Five Leading Causes of Death

Researchers have noted the disproportionate disease and mortality burden borne by racial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. Efforts have been made to understand the underlying determinants of racial and ethnic health disparities, but the wide range of dissemination outlets make it difficult to keep abreast of current findings. The project investigators conducted a comprehensive systematic review to identify articles for qualitative analysis. This brief provided a useful synthesis for policymakers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to support legislative policies that address social determinants and provide mechanisms by which rural Americans can achieve optimal health, particularly as they relate to the conditions that comprise the five leading causes of death. In addition to summarizing clinically disparate findings on the five leading causes of death, this project also highlighted socioeconomic components of the evidence.

Publications

• Geographic and Demographic Differences in Studies of the Five Leading Causes of Death in the U.S.: Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Literature
  Policy Brief
  Southwest Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 12/2025
  This brief examined the association of rurality and race/ethnicity on the five leading causes of death in the United States based on a review of 260 studies since 1970.