The Effect of Rurality and Poverty on COPD Outcomes in New Hampshire: An Analysis of Statewide Hospital Discharge Data.

Purpose: Individuals in rural areas of the United States have a greater risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and have worse COPD outcomes. New Hampshire (NH) is split between non-rural and rural counties.

Methods: We examined differences in COPD exacerbation rates ([encounters per county/county population of 35 years of age and older] × 100), length of stay (LOS), and total charges by rurality, determined by the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics rural-urban classification.