The Penn State Rural Health Disparities Lab in the Department of Biobehavioral Health has released a report showing rates of employer-sponsored health insurance in rural Pennsylvania. Employer sponsored health insurance (ESHI) is typically subsidized by employers, which can reduce the overall cost for employees. Using data from the American Community Survey, we found that working-age adults living in rural areas in Pennsylvania are less likely to have ESHI than those in urban areas. Across all rural-urban categories, females were least likely to have ESHI. The lower rates in rural areas may reflect fewer job opportunities with established ESHI plans. These findings raise concerns about access to the benefits of ESHI in rural contexts, especially for females. Author: Melanie Dececco, RHO Undergraduate Research Assistant
