Study: Rural Areas Not As Safe As Big Cities

It may not be as safe to live in small towns as many of us thought.

According to a study released on Wednesday by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the risk of an injury that causes death is higher in less populated areas than in large cities. 

"Although the risk of homicide is higher in big cities, the risk of unintentional injury death is 40 percent higher in the most rural areas than in the most urban," says Dr Sage Myers, the primary author of the study.

Among the most common causes of injury death studied:

Motor vehicle crashes

• 27.61 deaths per 100,000 people in most rural areas
• 10.58 deaths per 100,000 in most urban areas

Firearm-related deaths

• Significantly higher in rural areas for children and people 45 years and older

Something that surprised researchers: Rural counties with the highest levels of college-educated inhabitants and median income had significantly increased risk of injury death compared to rural counties with the lowest levels of each.

ACEP says the information has important implications about staffing of emergency departments and trauma care systems in rural areas, which tend to be underserved.

What do you think? Do you agree? Give us your thoughts in the comments.