Health of rural populations

Rural consult
RESEARCH PRIORITIES

At an aggregated level, rural populations have poorer health outcomes than their metropolitan counterparts. However, health status varies considerably across and within sub-populations in rural areas. For example, some rural communities may have different demographic characteristics or face greater socioeconomic disadvantage than others, contributing to poorer health. More isolated rural communities may face greater healthcare access challenges than those in closer proximity to regional centres. Community needs will inform the choice of projects we engage in.

Our focus is on conducting research into:

  • Health and wellbeing of rural populations, and targeted approaches to address inequities.
  • Health initiatives that benefit rural communities.

Our researchers

Research news

Medical student project finds diabetes care in Gippsland outperforming national average

A recent student project by final year medical student Eugene Wang has highlighted that Central Gippsland Health Service provides better care than the national average for paediatric type 1 diabetes outpatient service, based on HbA1c levels

New research features voices of carers and patients about broken mental health system

Recently published research led by Monash Rural Health has given voice to unheard carers and consumers of mental health services, highlighting shortcomings of the current mental health system which is under-resourced.

Research shows low adherence to dietary guidelines among rural Australian cancer survivors

A study led by Monash Rural Health has shown that rates of adherence to dietary guidelines among rural Australian cancer survivors vary across food groups and are mostly low.

Featured projects

Methamphetamine and Injecting Drug Use Cohort Study

Monash Rural Health, in partnership with Burnet Institute, have established the Methamphetamine and Injecting Drug Use Cohort Study to produce new evidence on the nature and extent of illicit drug-related harms and the effectiveness of interventions to address them.

Enhearten

This multi-centre, prospective observational study investigates the relationship between health literacy and health outcomes in 450 adults admitted with their first heart attack across three metropolitan health services and one rural service.

Check-back study

This project will co-design and test a resource to provide rural patients with skills and confidence to ask questions and double-check they have understood what they need to do to self-manage their chronic condition, after meeting with clinicians.

Hazelwood Health study

The Hazelwood Health Study identifies potential health outcomes for people who may have been impacted by the smoke from the Hazelwood open cut mine fire in the short and long term.

StigmaBeat

Exploring stigma experienced by rural young people (15 – 25 years) who have parents with mental health challenges, including co-creation of a series of short films.