HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s rural residents die at higher rates than their city and suburban counterparts due to poor access to healthcare, according to the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the Hartford Courant reported.

“The No. 1 issue is transportation,” said Mary Winar, manager of the state Office of Rural Health, which is based at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, the report said.

Rural areas have fewer doctors and with public transportation centered in more urban areas, those living outside of cities often have to fend for themselves to get to appointments, according to the Hartford Courant.

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