1. Rural and remote populations
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Rural and remote populations
Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health
Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

2. 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 inremote areas of Australia
Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health
Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

3. Health Status
Compared with urban populations, Australians living in rural and remote centres experience the following:
Lower life expectancy
Higher rates of preventable cancers (lung, melanoma) and detectable cancers such as cervical cancer
Higher rates of diabetes
Higher death rates from cardiovascular disease
Higher rates of mental health conditions such as depression and suicide (particularly men and youth
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. 3
Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

4. Biological Determinants
More likely to be overweight or obese
Higher percentage of low birth weight babies
Higher rates of hypertension
Higher incidence of high blood cholesterol
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Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

5. Behavioural determinants
Rural and remote populations are
Less likely to be physical active
More likely consume excessive alcohol
More likely to smoke
Less likely to consume low fat dairy foods
More likely to have high risk recreational pursuits
More likely to have high risk driving behaviours
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Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

6. Social determinants
Increased exposure to risk factors such as workplace and farming injuries
Poorer access to health care facilities
Lower socioeconomic status - particular due to the drought
More likely to work outdoors
Social isolation due to distance
Food insecurity
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Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

7. Social Determinants cont…
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
Higher rates of social isolation and lack of social support and connectedness
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Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

8. 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

9. 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
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Area of study 1: Understanding Australia’s health Unit 3: Australia’s health

10. 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

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