Although there exists in the minds of urban Texans the myth that rural life is especially healthy, in fact the mental and physical health of rural Texans is markedly worse than that of urban Texans. If health is defined in terms of environmental, physical, mental, and social factors, it is inaccurate to say that rural residents are receiving health care. Rural residents do have some access to medical care, but even this is often limited by poverty, lack of health insurance or coverage under public programs, cultural barriers, racial discrimination, and limited education. Rural residents experience more days of disability and more chronic illness than their urban counterparts. Rural living produces drug abuse, domestic violence, depression and teenage pregnancy. In addition, rural Texans have less education, lower incomes, and shorter life expectancies than urban Texans. There are higher incidences of substandard housing, poor communication and transportation systems, and inadequate sewage and water systems in rural areas. Two hundred of Texas' 254 counties are non-metropolitan. The report presents statistics on poverty, the elderly, children, education, environmental factors, housing, transportation, alcoholism and drug abuse, health status, mental health, crime, federal health programs, health and medical facilities and health manpower. Maps and references conclude the document. (BRR)