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Date: December 19, 2024
Rural communities across the United States are facing unprecedented challenges as essential services close their doors, leaving residents without vital resources. A new series of studies led by Penn State researchers explores the profound social and health impacts experienced by one rural Pennsylvania community following the closure of key institutions, including grocery stores, pharmacies, healthcare clinics, and more.
The closures, which stemmed from population loss and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, left the community without its only grocery store, bank, hardware store, church, primary care clinic, pharmacy, and two restaurants. The two studies, published in Wellbeing, Space and Society and The Journal of Rural Health, highlight the far-reaching consequences these closures had on the well-being of the community.
Kristina Brant, assistant professor of rural sociology and co-author of both papers, emphasized the importance of understanding how rural communities are impacted by the loss of these spaces. “These closures could perpetuate inequalities between residents,” Brant explained. “While some individuals may have the ability to travel to nearby towns, this isn’t feasible for everyone, making it even more critical to preserve these institutions.”
The studies, which involved interviews with 26 local residents, uncovered several distressing findings. The closure of the area’s only grocery store severely limited access to healthy food options, which, coupled with the loss of the town’s primary healthcare services, led to delayed medical care, over-reliance on emergency services, and overall health disparities. Residents also reported becoming more dependent on social networks for basic needs, like transportation to healthcare facilities, which sometimes proved unreliable.
“The loss of these essential services—particularly healthcare—has left residents in a difficult position,” said Danielle Rhubart, the lead author of the Wellbeing, Space and Society study. “When critical infrastructure is lost, it takes a toll not just on the economy but on community health as well.”
The study also found that certain groups, particularly older adults, people with disabilities, and working-class families, were disproportionately affected. These residents faced delays in seeking medical care and struggled to access medication. Without trusted local healthcare providers, some residents were forced to ration medication or call on emergency medical services for routine health needs.
The research suggests that the loss of community spaces, even those not directly related to health—such as grocery stores and banks—has a ripple effect on community cohesion. Brant explained, “These places are not just about the products or services they provide. They are community hubs where social connections are formed. Losing them isolates residents, making it harder for people to come together.”
For rural communities that have already seen population decline, maintaining and supporting these vital spaces becomes even more difficult. Between 2010 and 2020, two-thirds of rural counties in the U.S. saw their populations shrink, making it harder to sustain local businesses and services.
The studies also underscored the adaptability and resilience of rural communities. Although the loss of essential services created significant challenges, community members relied on each other, with some sharing rides or helping one another access care. However, this reliance also revealed vulnerabilities, as strained relationships and weak networks made it harder for some residents to receive the support they needed.
Looking ahead, Brant and her colleagues stress the importance of finding solutions to preserve these critical spaces and improve the resilience of rural communities. “Policymakers and practitioners can use these findings to better understand why it’s essential to protect these community institutions and create strategies to help rural areas adapt when closures do occur,” she said.
The studies offer a stark reminder of the real-life consequences of losing essential community infrastructure, and they provide valuable insight into how rural areas can better support their residents in times of crisis.
Co-authors on the studies include Hazel Velasco Palacios, a doctoral student in rural sociology, and Jorden Jackson, a graduate student in rural sociology and demography. The research was also supported by Jennifer Kowalkowski, an assistant professor of nursing.
For more information, see:
- The loss of rural vital places: A case study using the social determinants of health framework in Wellbeing, Space and Society (DOI: 10.1016/j.wss.2024.100228)
- Community responses and adaptations following the closure of a rural pharmacy and primary care facility in The Journal of Rural Health (DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12896)
