Research funding win supports equitable treatment for coronary heart disease
Associate Professor Allison Beauchamp from Monash Rural Health has received a $597,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), to research ways to increase accessibility of care for coronary heart disease.
The Equal Hearts Study will explore factors affecting accessibility of cardiovascular care and co-design and test an intervention that addresses these factors.
According to Associate Professor Beauchamp, “Australians who live with social disadvantage are more likely to have heart disease, yet these groups often have lower health literacy and greater difficulty communicating with healthcare providers.”
Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of death in Australia, and lower socioeconomic groups carry the greatest burden of disease. However, not all Australians have equitable access to cardiac services, meaning that disadvantaged groups often miss out on receiving the best possible care.
Through a mixed-methods research approach, followed up by designing and implementing solutions in a targeted randomised control trial, this research will show the potential for developing interventions that work in meeting the needs of disadvantaged groups. Partnering with Monash Health, Northern Health, Grampians Health and Colac Area Health, the research will also provide guidance for health services seeking to improve and monitor equity of access for their underserved populations. Associate Professor Beauchamp hopes that the research will “overcome some of the barriers to equitable care for coronary heart disease, and ultimately save lives through positive interventions.”
Professor Shane Bullock, Head of School at Monash Rural Health, congratulated Associate Professor Beauchamp on securing this prestigious funding.
“This project continues Alison's significant and impactful research into increasing health literacy and reducing health inequality in the delivery of cardiac services to vulnerable populations. Importantly, this work strongly articulates with the School's mission to improve the health outcomes for disadvantaged communities.”