Report – Rural Minnesotans Smoke More, Are Fatter

UNDATED - A new report suggests rural Minnesotans smoke more than people who live in the Twin Cities.  They're also fatter and exercise less.  And, as a result, rural Minnesotans also die more frequently from diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

However, on the positive side, rural Minnesotans are less likely to suffer from a sexually transmitted disease, and they get murdered less often.

The report is from the Minnesota Department of Health.  It doesn't address why these differences exist, but analysts say there could be a lot of factors, including access to health care.