This book investigates the persistent health disparities faced by rural populations in the United States and proposes evidence-based strategies for their reduction. Richard A. Crosby, drawing on his expertise in public health and preventive medicine, examines critical issues in rural health and healthcare services through a social disparities framework. The book synthesizes theoretical underpinnings with empirical evidence to advocate for rectifying these disparities. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for building capacity, fostering collaboration, and applying prevention research specifically within rural contexts.

This resource is designed for students, faculty, and researchers across various disciplines including public health, preventive medicine, public health nursing, social work, and sociology. The book's focus on a social disparities framework and its inclusion of practical roadmaps and case studies suggest it aims to be both academically rigorous and practically applicable. Its evidence-based approach and examination of critical issues in rural health position it as a valuable tool for those seeking to understand and address health inequities in underserved American communities.