Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Rural and remote populations Image source: images.theglobeandmail.com Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Defining rural and remote Populations  Approximately 70% of Australians live in metropolitan areas (urban)  Approximately 26% of the population live in regional centres  Only about 3% of the population live in remote areas of Australia Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Characteristics Compared with urban populations, Australians living in rural and remote centres experience the following:  Lower life expectancy  Higher rates of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death)  Higher rates of CVD, T2DM, some cancers (particularly lung cancer) and obesity (particularly in women)  Higher rates of mental health conditions such as depression and suicide (particularly men and youth) Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Characteristics cont …  Higher rates of communicable disease  Higher morbidity and mortality across all age groups as a result of accidents  Higher incidence of dental caries in children and adolescents  Higher rates of maternal mortality. Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Biological Determinants Higher rates of obesity Higher rates of low birth weight babies Higher rates of hypertension Higher rates of high blood cholesterol

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Physical Environment Environment All levels of environment help to explain the difference in health status for populations in rural and remote areas. Image source: desktopnexus.com

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Physical Environment cont … Physical environment  Access to fresh, healthy food  Increased exposure to risk factors such as workplace and farming injuries  Increased morbidity and mortality from motor vehicle accidents Image source: redbubble.net Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Physical environment  Reduced access to health care facilities  Increased incidence of skin cancers due to sun exposure  Impact of phenomenon such as drought and flood Image source: homesolarinfo.com

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Social Determinants Social and economic environment  Education Rates of school completion are lower  Employment Rural and remote areas have higher rates of unemployment as well as reduced opportunities for skilled and professional employment  Reduced opportunities for employment results in lower household income Image source: unac.org

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Social determinants cont … Social environment  Higher rates of social isolation and lack of social support and connectedness. Image source: planetware.com

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Social determinants cont … Political environment  Access to health care facilities  Funding for health care facilities  Health promotion aimed at rural and remote populations Image source: abc.net.au

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Behavioural determinants There are numerous behavioural factors that account for the difference in health status for rural and remote populations. Some of these include:  Low levels of physical activity  Increased consumption of alcohol Image source: z.about.com

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Behavioural determinants cont …  High risk recreational pursuits  High risk driving behaviours  Higher rates of smoking Image source: travel.neunerweb.de Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

Strategies Beyond Blue ‘Don’t Beat about the Bush!’  Raise awareness of depression  Provide opportunities for knowledge  Encourage people to seek support and assistance  Provide support and assistance  Drought awareness bus

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Strategies cont … Desert acrobats  One-week workshop in gymnastics, sport, contemporary dance, traditional Aboriginal dance and performance  Promotes physical activity amongst rural and remote youth  Promotes self-esteem and confidence  Builds resilience Image source: hreoc.gov.au

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Strategies cont… Coming home  A careers strategy aimed at Year 10 students  Promotion of careers in the areas of health (nursing, dietetics, social work etc)  Encourages rural and remote youth to move away for study, then return ‘home’ to implement health promotion strategies  Dual purpose:  Addresses shortage of health professionals in rural areas  Increases employment opportunities and increase SES

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Strategies  Farm health and injury toolkit  ‘First Aid for Farmers’  Computer and internet lesson for aged citizens to minimise feelings of isolation Image source: farm1.static.flickr.com

Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health Revise Use the determinants of health to explain the health status of rural and remote populations in Australia. Image source: jewishsightseeing.com