Nearly 60% of rural Americans say opioid addiction is a serious problem in their community

Surveyed about issues facing their communities, rural Americans say in a new study that drug addiction and health financing are major concerns. Here’s what else they said: 

• Addiction: Nearly 60% of those surveyed said opioid or other drug addiction was a serious problem, while 1 in 4 said this was the most serious issue facing their community. Nearly half said they personally knew someone with an opioid addiction. 
• Medical bills: About a third said their family had trouble paying health bills. Nearly 45% of those with household incomes of $25,000 or less reported problems paying bills. 
• Health care access: 26% of adults said they have had recent issues with accessing health care. Almost half said they didn’t seek care because they couldn’t afford it.