Income inequality is the major cause of higher rural child poverty
The child-poverty rate in rural America was 26.7 percent in 2012, the highest rate in more than four decades, according to Census Bureau data. An analysis by the USDA's Economic Research Service says income inequality was the primary reason for the increase, far outweighing the effect of the overall decline in rural family income due to the recession of 2007-09.
Rural teens more likely to abuse prescription painkillers
Rural teenagers are more likely to receive medical care in emergency rooms than their urban peers, a possible explanation for why they also are 35-percent more likely to have abused prescription painkillers in the past year, says the Daily Yonder, citing a study published in the Journal of Rural Health.
Rural youth suicide rate is nearly double urban rate
The suicide rates for young people in rural areas "are almost twice as high" as those for city kids, says the Washington Post, summarizing a study by researchers at Ohio State University.
Rural schools less likely to offer Advanced Placement classes
Research by the University of New Hampshire says rural students have far less access to Advanced Placement classes than suburban or urban students.