WVU in the News: Rural men have special physical, mental challenges during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a double whammy for rural men and their loved ones: Their access to medical care is often difficult because of long distances to travel for treatment, and they are less likely to have access to high-speed internet for telehealth visits.
Even before the pandemic, healthcare for rural men had unique challenges. For the approximately 60 million Americans — nearly one in five — who live in rural areas, limited access to healthcare professionals, particularly specialist care, is a critical barrier to achieving favorable health outcomes.
Robert Bossarte, Ph.D., of West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., is directing a project to see how remote cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve mental health in vulnerable populations.