The importance of rural health research
Around 7 million people or 28 per cent of the Australian population live in rural and remote areas (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023).
Rural and regional communities often face unique challenges due to their geographic location and have poorer health outcomes than people living in metropolitan areas.
When compared to metropolitan communities, rural and regional communities:
- experience difficulties accessing health services.
- have higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths and injury
- must travel greater distances to look for and receive treatment.
- have poorer access to, and use of, primary health care services.
- experience increased unemployment and less education opportunities.
Rural health research plays an important role in improving access to and the quality of healthcare to regional and remote communities.
Regional health priorities in NSW
The NSW Regional Health Strategic Plan for 2022-2032 is a roadmap to deliver a sustainable, fair and integrated health system that matter most to patients and the community in regional, rural and remote NSW.
Consumer representative: Expression of Interest
Are you looking for a health consumer representative for your project? NSW Regional Health Partners can help researchers and health staff match with a suitable consumer representative. Use the expression of interest form to get in touch.
Our rural research strategy
In Hunter New England LHD, the Rural and Regional Health Service (R&RHS) consists of:
- 2 rural referral hospitals
- 10 community hospitals
- 12 Multi-Purpose Services (MPS)
- 56 community health services
Our targeted Rural Research strategy is in line with our District and NSW Health's strategic goals for regional health. Our aim is to improve research engagement within our rural health services.
Education, training and opportunities
This list links to education, training, resources and other opportunities. To add relevant resources and opportunities, contact us.
Go to NSW Health's regional health page and our research development section for more resources.
The Health Education and Training Institute (HETI) offers the Rural Research Capacity Building Program to help increase the number of rural and remote health workers:
- with knowledge and skills in evaluation and research methods.
- to contribute to the literature on both innovation and evidence-based practice around rural and remote health care.
The Spinifex Network supports rural and regional health and medical research and training.
The network's mission is to create a healthier and stronger rural Australia by focussing research, collaboration and developing innovative health care solutions.
The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) is made up of 52 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of more than 7 million people in rural and remote Australia.
The Alliance develops health policy and has a strong advocacy network. It has several rural health partnerships and also offers scholarships and programs.
The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (the Program) helps health professionals in rural and remote Australia to build and improve their skills, ability and practice.
The Program is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and is administered in New South Wales by NSW Rural Doctors Network.
It is available to medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health, dental and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals providing primary health care in:
- the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) sector
- non-government organisations
- private practice.
The Rural, Regional and Remote (R3) clinical trial enabling program is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Medical Research Future Fund.
The program will deliver increased and fairer access to clinical trials for patients in rural, regional, and remote NSW and ACT.
Contact us
For more information or help contact the Hunter New England Research Office.