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A lengthy Washington Post story published March 30 profiles an Alabama man's experience applying for disability benefits to illustrate a larger point: applications for benefits are on the rise in economically depressed rural America. The story (and accompanying analysis) suggests that confluence of scarce jobs, poor access to health care and socio-emotional factors such as declining family and community connections may have contributed to the rise in the number of people whose health has deteriorated enough ? or whose prospects are bleak enough ? to turn to disability benefits, particularly in rural regions.

Writer Terrence McCoy reports:

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