Australians living outside major cities have shorter life
expectancy, higher death rates, and are more likely to have a
disability compared to city dwellers, according to a report
released today by the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare.
This is so even when taking into account the effects of the
known poorer health of Indigenous Australians, who make up a
greater proportion of the population in regional and remote areas
than they do in the cities, and affect health figures in remote and
very remote areas in particular.
People outside major cities were also more likely to place
themselves at a higher risk of poor health -for example, they were
more likely to smoke, be overweight and drink alcohol
excessively.
Rural, regional and remote health: Indicators of health focuses
on health status, determinants of health, and health service
provision, and is the first systematic comparison of its kind.
The report confirmed that GPs and other health professionals
were less prevalent outside major cities, and they worked longer
hours.
'The findings on life expectancy, death rates and disability are
not a surprise given the poorer health determinants and lower
access to services outside major cities', said Mr Andrew Phillips,
author of the report.
'For example, smoking rates are up to 25% higher and have not
been decreasing in rural areas. Risky alcohol consumption is also
more likely. But, in contrast, breast and cervical cancer screening
participation is higher in rural areas.'
'Other factors associated with poorer health include the lower
incomes in rural areas compared to major cities, and a lower
proportion of adults who have completed high school to Year
12.'
'Seventeen-year-olds outside major cities were less likely to
still be in school, and school leavers were less likely to go on to
university', Mr Phillips said.
'Students outside major cities were also less likely to commence
a health-related degree. But some good news is that over recent
years students from outer regional and remote areas have become
much better represented in medical courses, and these students are
more likely than students from the city to eventually practise in
rural areas.'
Other findings in the report include:
- Hospital admission rates for coronary artery bypass graft and
coronary angioplasty were lower outside major cities, despite
similar rates of self-reported coronary heart disease.
- Birth rates, particularly for teenagers, were higher in rural
and remote areas.
- Immunisation rates were slightly lower outside major
cities.
- Children outside major cities had, on average, more decayed,
missing or filled teeth. This was partly explained by much lower
incidence of fluoridation of the water supply in rural areas.
- Pertussis (whooping cough) notification rates were up to twice
as high outside major cities.
13 May 2005
Further information: Mr Andrew Phillips, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1027
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of the Rural, Regional and
Remote Health: Indicators of Health, May 2005.