Rural health - frequently asked questions

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> In what way is health different in rural and remote Australia?

> Why are health status, determinants of health and access to services different in more remote areas?

In what way is health different in rural and remote Australia?

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Metropolitan, rural and remote areas show some differences in health status, health risk factors, and access to health services for their populations.

Areas that are more remote generally have a higher proportion of men and of Indigenous people. These population groups have poorer health and higher death rates than women and non indigenous people. Access to health services (eg doctors, allied health professionals, nursing home places, pharmacists) for remote area and rural populations is generally poorer than for metropolitan residents. Health in rural and remote Australia details some of these differences as well as those differences in health status and risk factors. Overall, health status and determinants of health (eg. death rates, income etc.) for the general population are generally worse in more remote areas, than in metropolitan areas. 

There are differences in mortality and hospital admission rates for a number of health issues (eg injury). Rates change a little from year to year (affecting comparisons), especially in the more remote areas where the populations are smaller.

Why are health status, determinants of health and access to services different in more remote areas?

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Part of the answer is that a higher proportion of the remote population is Indigenous, who tend to have poorer health and are exposed to higher health risks. But a difference exists also for non-indigenous people, at least in rural areas.

Some of this difference is due to environmental factors resulting in higher rates of road accidents, occupational injuries and so on. Further work is being undertaken to identify factors that are likely to have an effect.