A dearth of contemporary information exists about risky substance use among children and adults residing in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties nationally. Even less information is available about Native American and other racial or ethnic minorities residing in nonmetropolitan counties.

This project filled important gaps in knowledge that health policymakers may use to develop and implement more effective substance use prevention interventions for nonmetropolitan adolescents and adults. Specifically, we aimed to: 1) estimate and compare alcohol use and binge drinking between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan adolescents and adults; 2) estimate and compare drug use (marijuana, other illicit drugs, and non-medical use of other drugs) between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan adolescents and adults; and 3) estimate and compare alcohol, tobacco, and drug use between Native American and other racial or ethnic groups residing in nonmetropolitan counties. This project provided evidence about the prevalence of these risky behaviors among nonmetropolitan residents that will inform the allocation and implementation of prevention programs aimed at reducing risky alcohol and drug use among rural Americans.

Publications

• Risky Substance Use Behaviors Among Adolescents Residing in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties in the United States, 2017-2018
  Policy Brief
  Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
  Date: 11/2020
  This brief uses nationally representative survey data to compare past-30 day and past-year risky substance use among adolescents 12 to 17 years of age residing in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. Specifically, we compared consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit substances.
• Risky Substance Use Behaviors Among Adults Residing in Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan Counties in the United States, 2017-2018
  Policy Brief
  Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
  Date: 11/2020
  This brief uses nationally representative survey data to identify differences in past-30 day and past-year risky substance use among adults, including alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. This data indicates some significant differences in substance use consumption.