Rural–Urban Health Inequality in Jamaica: Structural Disparities in Health Outcomes

Adjunct Professor, Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Manchester, Jamaica, WI

^*Corresponding author: Paul Andrew Bourne, PhD, DrPH, Adjunct Professor, Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Manchester, Jamaica, WI, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: May 25, 2026

Published Date: July 14, 2026

Citation: Bourne PA. (2026). Rural–Urban Health Inequality in Jamaica: Structural Disparities in Health Outcomes. Mathews J Psychiatry Ment Health. 11(2):65.

Copyrights: Bourne PA. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Rural–urban health inequality remains a persistent public health challenge in Jamaica, reflecting entrenched structural disparities in access, utilisation, and outcomes across populations. Although the country has made notable strides in expanding healthcare coverage, important differences persist between rural and urban residents in morbidity patterns and healthcare experiences. Empirical evidence indicates that rural populations experience poorer health outcomes, often linked to delayed healthcare utilisation and limited service availability. Additionally, the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases is disproportionately higher in rural areas, further exacerbating health inequities. Patient satisfaction with healthcare services is also lower among rural residents, reflecting systemic inefficiencies and resource constraints. These disparities are not merely geographic but are deeply embedded in broader socioeconomic inequalities that shape health behaviours and outcomes. This paper examines rural–urban health inequality in Jamaica through a structural lens, emphasising the role of social determinants in perpetuating disparities and highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions.

Keywords: Rural Health, Urban Inequality, Jamaica, Chronic Illness, Health Disparities, Social Determinants