Geographic disparities in health outcomes have significant implications for healthcare planning and policy development. This study seeks to explore differences in the prevalence of hypertension between urban and rural populations using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The central research question is: Are there significant differences in hypertension prevalence between urban and rural populations?

The planned analysis involves extracting relevant BRFSS data, including variables for geographic classification (urban vs. rural) and health outcomes (e.g., hypertension prevalence). Data will be imported into statistical software for organization and analysis. A Chi-Square Test of Independence will be performed to assess whether hypertension prevalence differs significantly between the two groups. The analysis will report key statistical outputs, including the Chi-Square test statistic, degrees of freedom, and p-value.

Expected results include identifying potential disparities in hypertension prevalence between urban and rural populations. These findings will be presented in the context of observed versus expected counts and statistical significance. The results are anticipated to inform discussions on geographic health disparities, with implications for targeted healthcare interventions and resource allocation.

This project emphasizes the value of using large-scale public health datasets, such as BRFSS, to identify and address disparities in health outcomes. By investigating these differences, this study aims to contribute to the broader understanding of how geographic factors influence public health and support evidence-based policymaking.