Rural Australians twice as likely to die from preventable causes

National Rural Health Alliance

The further an Australian lives from an urban centre, the lower their life expectancy. They are also twice as likely to die from preventable illness. The latest research shows that rural men are 2.5 times and women 2.8 times more likely to die from potentially avoidable causes than those in urban areas. This statistic, along with demographic information, health risk factors, health outcomes, burden of disease, mortality and morbidity and health service funding and access, are some of the data provided in the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance’s) Rural Health in Australia Snapshot 2023. The snapshot also provides data on health workforce distribution in rural, regional, and remote Australia.

“The statistics show that the further you are from an urban setting, the more likely you may die of disease due to various factors, including the tyranny of distance and workforce shortages,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen. “Fit for purpose funding is critical to ensure that the necessary policy and infrastructure is in place,” she added.

The Snapshot shows that small rural towns of less than 5000 people, have access to almost 60 per cent fewer health professionals than major cities per capita, indicating continuing workforce and access challenges in rural areas. Major cities have more choice and more General Practitioners and other health practitioners providing primary care compared to large regional centres, small rural towns, remote areas and very remote areas.

Many rural people have no access to primary healthcare services within an hour’s drive from their home. They use Medicare up to 50 per cent less than those in cities, indicating that people rather not go through the diffcult process of a long journey and long waiting time to access health care. As a result, the burden of disease in remote areas is 1.4 times that of major cities.

“There is clear evidence that per-person spending on healthcare is not equitable, and that this inequity is contributing to poorer health outcomes in rural areas,” said Ms Tegen.

“The biggest defcits are in accessing primary health care which then leads to higher rates of costly and potentially preventable hospitalisations and increased hospital expenditure. This is a sad refection on the rest of Australia, when not every citizen has the same access to a basic healthcare need. ”

“We welcome the Government’s reforms and look forward to a rural health system reform that refects population health need and place-based and led planning and service delivery, to address this discrepancy of health care access.” she said.

Embarking on a solo travel adventure is a journey into self-discovery and independence. It’s an opportunity to explore new cultures, meet new people, and learn about oneself in ways that might never happen when travelling with others. For those considering their frst solo trip, the prospect can be daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it can turn into an incredibly rewarding experience.

Choosing the Right Destination

The frst step in planning a solo trip is choosing the right destination. For frst timers, it’s often best to start with a place known for being safe, easy to navigate, and friendly towards tourists. Cities like Lisbon, Portugal, and Melbourne,