scholarly journals Creating healthy and active life for the elderly in programmes conducted by rural and urban-rural communes in Poland

Author(s):  
Anna Augustynowicz ◽  
Michał Waszkiewicz ◽  
Sławomir Szopa ◽  
Mariola Borowska ◽  
Aleksandra Czerw

Abstract Background In Poland, between 1989 and 2018 the number of the elderly increased by over 3.9 million. Demographic changes justify a senior policy focussed on the longest possible social, professional and family activity of the elderly. Directions of undertaken actions should include health policy programmes aimed at creating conditions healthy and active life of the elderly. The programmes should be particularly important in rural areas as the health of rural and urban residents differs. The study presents programmes for creating conditions for a healthy and active life of the elderly run by rural and urban-rural communes in 2012–17. Methods The study was conducted on the basis of existing data analysis. Data from the summary information prepared by voivodes and provided to the Minister of Health about implemented health policy programmes were used. Data on programmes concerning a healthy and active life for the elderly conducted by rural and urban-rural communes between 2012 and 2017 were extracted from the aggregate information. Results Between 2012 and 2017, 354 programmes were implemented, the most in 2016, and the least in 2015. There were 171 000 people participating in the programmes. The total cost was USD 2 491 664. Conclusion It can be presumed that in 2016 communes implemented more diagnostic and therapeutic programmes than in 2017. A small number of programmes and a small involvement of financial resources in communes with the largest number of the elderly may indicate marginalization of the importance of an active and healthy life for the elderly.

Author(s):  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Jianmin Gao

Background: China is becoming an aging society, and the proportion of the population aged 60 years and above is increasing. There is a dualistic urban–rural economic structure between urban and rural areas in China, but there are few comparative health studies on the self-assessed health (SAH) status of the elderly between urban and rural areas. The aim of this study is to explore the SAH status of the elderly in China, and to identify the health disparity between the urban and rural elderly. Methods: The data from the fourth wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018 were adopted. A total of 9630 participants aged 60 and above were included in this study. SAH was used as the indicator, measuring the health status. Fairlie decomposition analysis was conducted to find the SAH disparity. Results: The proportion of good SAH of the rural elderly (24.01%) was significantly higher than the urban elderly (19.99%). The association of SAH was widely different between the rural and urban elderly. There was a stronger association between SAH and sleeping time in the urban elderly (Odds ratios (OR) = 3.347 of 4–8 hours; OR = 3.337 of above 8 hours) than the rural elderly (OR = 1.630 of 4–8 hours; OR = 2.293 of above 8 hours). Smoking and social activity were significant only in the urban elderly, while region and assets were significant only in the rural elderly. Drinking (11.45%), region (−33.92%), and assets (73.50%) were the main factors contributing to the urban–rural health disparities. Conclusions: This is the first comparative study examining SAH disparity, focusing on the elderly aged 60 and above in China. From the perspective of drinking, region, and assets, our study highlighted substantial urban–rural health disparities, and provided evidence for policy making on narrowing the health gap between urban and rural areas in China.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e042762
Author(s):  
Shuai Yuan ◽  
Shao-Hua Xie

ObjectiveThe substantial differences in socioeconomic and lifestyle exposures between urban and rural areas in China may lead to urban–rural disparity in cancer risk. This study aimed to assess the urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China.MethodsUsing data from 36 regional cancer registries in China in 2008–2012, we compared the age-standardised incidence rates of cancer by sex and anatomic site between rural and urban areas. We calculated the rate difference and rate ratio comparing rates in rural versus urban areas by sex and cancer type.ResultsThe incidence rate of all cancers in women was slightly lower in rural areas than in urban areas, but the total cancer rate in men was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The incidence rates in women were higher in rural areas than in urban areas for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, and liver and biliary passages, but lower for cancers of thyroid and breast. Men residing in rural areas had higher incidence rates for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, and liver and biliary passages, but lower rates for prostate cancer, lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancer, and colorectal cancer.ConclusionsOur findings suggest substantial urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China, which varies across cancer types and the sexes. Cancer prevention strategies should be tailored for common cancers in rural and urban areas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratna Dwi Wulandari ◽  
Agung Dwi Laksono

Background: Urban always attracts investors to invest. Health facilities in urban areas are growing rapidly compared to villages. This condition is estimated to contribute to the disparity of urban-rural areas in the utilization of health services. Studying the utilization of health services is a way to evaluate the performance of the health care system through its output.Aim: This study analyzed the urban-rural disparity in the utilization of primary healthcare center by the elderly.Method: This study used in the 2013 Basic Health Research raw data. The 2013 Basic Health Research was designed as a cross-sectional survey. With the multi-stage cluster random sampling method, 25,813 elderly people in East Java Province participated. Data were analyzed using Multinomial Logistic Regression tests.Results: Elderly people in urban areas have a better probability of outpatient use of 1.208 than those living in rural areas (OR 1.208; 95% CI 1.057-1.380). The elderly who have a primary school and under education have the possibility of 1.558 times more utilizing outpatients in primary healthcare centers than the elderly who have college education levels (OR 1.558; 95% CI 1.001-2.424).Conclusion: There was a disparity between urban and rural areas in the utilization of outpatient primary healthcare centers in East Java by the elderly. Policymakers in East Java are recommended to improve facilities and infrastructure of the primary healthcare centers in rural areas by paying attention to the results of this study.Keywords: elderly, urban-rural disparities, primary healthcare center, healthcare utilization, inpatient-outpatient. 


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Ben Park ◽  
David Lester

Suicide rates in 2005 in South Korea were higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Those in rural areas more often used pesticides and chemicals as a method for suicide, and there was a greater proportion of men and the elderly, both groups at higher risk for suicide in South Korea. These three factors may account for the high rural suicide rate in South Korea.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittain Heindl ◽  
George Howard ◽  
Elizabeth A Jackson

Introduction: The incidence of stroke is higher in rural areas. Hypertension is the leading risk factor for stroke, but the difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) for those living in rural and urban areas is unknown. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that rural residence is associated with higher SBP levels, and this difference is modified by race, sex, and United States (US) division. Methods: We analyzed 26,113 participants enrolled in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study, recruited between 2003 and 2007. Participants were grouped based on the Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) scheme into urban, large-rural, and small-isolated rural groups. Resting SBP was measured during the initial home visit. Differences in percentiles of SBP distribution were compared using multivariate models with adjustment for age, race, sex, and US Census Bureau division. Results: Of the participants, 20,976 (80.3%) were classified as urban, 3,020 (11.6%) as large-rural, and 2,137 (8.2%) as small-isolated rural, reflecting the distribution of the population. The large-rural group had a 0.09 mmHg higher mean SBP compared to the urban group (95% CI, 0.33 to 1.52 mmHg, p = 0.0023), but the difference in SBP at the 95th percentile between these groups was 3.23 mmHg (95% CI, 1.43 to 4.73 mmHg, p = 0.0006). A similar difference was present between the small-isolated rural and urban groups at the highest percentiles. No urban-rural interaction was observed by race, sex, or US division. However, large SBP differences were present between US divisions, especially at the highest percentiles. To illustrate, SBP at the 95th percentile was 9.51 mmHg higher in the East North Central division than in the Pacific (95% CI, 6.41 to 12.61 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Residence in a rural area is associated with higher SBP, with larger differences at the highest percentiles of distribution. SBP differences are present between US divisions, independent of urban-rural status.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Zheng ◽  
Hong Chen

Abstract Background Although social network is a known determinant of the elderly’s well-being, it is not clear, in urban-rural and age-comparison, what its structural characteristics are and how it works for well-being. The research aims to discuss the features of the elderly’s social network and the social network efficacies on the well-being of older adults in China’s urban and rural areas as well as revealing the urban-rural disparities among the elderly of different age groups. Methods In this study, descriptive statistical analysis and structural equation Modeling (SEM) were used to make a group comparison between the urban and rural elderly of different age groups. All data are quoted from 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The survey adopted the multi-stage probability sampling method, targeting Chinese senior citizens aged 60 and above, the ultimate samples totaled 11,511. Results The social network of the elderly in China feature a “reverse structure” in age sequences: with ageing, family network of the elderly expand while their friend network shrink; also, the expansion scale of the rural elderly’s family network is significantly larger than that of the city’s while the shrinkage scale of their friend network is smaller compared with its urban counterpart. The effect of family network on the rural elderly’s well-being shows a remarkable increase with age. However, there is no noticeable change in urban elderly groups of different ages. Conclusion The social network characteristics of the Chinese elderly are different between different age stages. Namely, the family network and the friend network have the “reverse structure “ in age sequences. Meanwhile, the family network and the friend network have different efficacies on the well-being of the elderly in China, and the differences between urban and rural areas are even more obvious. For rural elderly, family network has very important effects on their well-being. Moreover, With the increase of age, family network’s efficacies increase gradually. For urban elderly, comparatively, family network is just as important as friend network.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 491-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Marszalek ◽  
Henrike E Karim-Kos ◽  
Stephan Madersbacher ◽  
Monika Hackl ◽  
Michael Rauchenwald

491 Background: Access to medical diagnostics and treatment might be limited for patients living in rural areas compared to urban residents. To evaluate the potential impact of urban/rural residence, we analyzed trends in RS for patients diagnosed with kidney cancer between 1998 and 2009 in Austria. Methods: All patients with kidney cancer aged ≥18 years, diagnosed from 1998-2009 were derived from the ANCR (n=14,576). Patients were categorized into two groups: rural (n=7,537) and urban (n=7,039) based on a complex algorithm considering infrastructure, commuter interrelations, accessibility of centers, and tourism at the time of diagnosis. Relative survival was calculated based on complete follow-up until December 31st, 2014. Poisson regression modeling was used to evaluate survival differences between the two groups and to calculate the relative excess risk of dying (RER). Analyses were performed for the total patient population and primary metastatic patients (M+). Results: Distribution of sex, age, stage of disease, year of diagnosis, and surgical treatment did not differ between rural and urban patients. Five-year RS was 74% for rural compared to 73% for urban patients (RER for rural: 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.95). In M+ patients, 5-year RS was 14% for both residence groups. On multivariate analysis, residence remained as an independent predictor for survival in the overall kidney cancer population (RER of rural patients 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.94). For M+ patients the RER was 0.90 ( 95% CI 0.81-1.00). For patients without surgery, rural patients were even stronger benefited in their survival than urban patients (overall population: RER 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.89; M+ patients: RER 0.84, 95% CI 0.73-0.97) wherereas in surgical patients RS did not differ between rural and urban patients. Conclusions: An advantage in RS was observed for kidney cancer patients living in rural areas. This advantage was evident in metastatic and non-metastatic patients, especially in patients who did not undergo surgery for (metastatic) kidney cancer. These results suggest that access to medical health care for kidney cancer patients in Austria is not limited by rural residence.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 435-453
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Gordon

Despite the difficulty of delineating the rural from the urban according to economic or demographic criteria, this distinction has powerful cultural resonances, and language plays a key role in constructing the cultural divide between rural and urban. Sociolinguists have generally devoted more attention to urban communities, but substantial research has explored language variation and change in rural areas, and this scholarship complements the perspective gained from studies of metropolitan speech. This article reviews research on rural speech communities that examines the linguistic dimensions of the urban/rural divide as well as social dynamics driving language variation and change in rural areas. One theme emerging from this literature is the role of dialect contact and how its effects are shaped by material as well as attitudinal factors.


Author(s):  
Barbara Kutkowska ◽  
Tomasz Pilawka ◽  
Vitalii Rybchak ◽  
Olena Rybchak

A gradual process of convergence of our country with the bloc’s member states has been observed since Poland’s accession to the European Union. The advance in the standard of living and living conditions of the inhabitants attests to this. The study area included rural and urban-rural communes of Lower Silesia. The research was aimed at determining the differentiation of the level of socioeconomic development within the Lower Silesian region and establishing whether changes in growth serve to increase or decrease this diversification. The level of socioeconomic development in 2002 and 2010 was determined based on available data. In order to determine the differentiation, a hierarchical method of linear ordering and statistical methods were applied, including the Pearson correlation coefficient, as well as the coefficients of variability and determination. The studies showed that differentiation in terms of the level of socioeconomic development in the province’s rural areas deepened in the years 2002-2010 . It was noted that despite significant changes in most indicators characterizing socioeconomic development, growth progressed unevenly and was spatially diversified. Communes with the highest level of development were located around urban agglomerations, however, those communes which saw the fastest development did not form a compact territory around cities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meishu Wang ◽  
Hui Gong

Water pollution control is a great challenge for China. Compared with urban regions, the wastewater treatment in rural areas is much undeveloped, which is highly related with the much delayed legislation for rural wastewater. Imbalanced urban-rural development and the economic burden of urban and rural wastewater treatment in China was investigated from the perspective of discharge limit legislation. For now, the national discharge limit for rural wastewater is still vacant, although the national discharge limit for urban wastewater had been released for more than ten years. Recently, local rural wastewater discharge limits from several provinces were released, however, based on quite different principles. Some categories emphasized environmental sensitivity with the discharge limit equal and were more strict than urban standards, while some focused on resource recovery for rural regions with loose discharge limits. This study compared the financial burden between rural and urban regions in 31 provinces under different discharge limit legislation conditions. It was revealed that the resources recovery category discharge principle helped to decrease the financial burden imbalance with a reduced Gini coefficient from 0.37 to 0.17. The reduced economic burden from the implementation of a suitably designed rural discharge limit promoted balancing the rural-urban gap and lowering uncertainties and risk of sustainable rural wastewater treatment. This study also revealed the urgency of rural water legislation and proposed development with a balanced financial burden for urban and rural residents under suitable discharge limits, providing a profound insight for environmental management with a focus on balanced urban-rural development for the policy-makers in developing countries.


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