National Rural Health Month: time to spotlight rural health

A time to celebrate and a time for action! November is National Rural Health Month and it’s time to spotlight rural communities and health care.

Throughout November, the National Rural Health Alliance is excited to share rural healthcare stories and highlight the success stories of rural healthcare champions. We will also draw attention to the myriad of issues faced by rural, regional and remote communities in Australia when trying to access health care.  

“We all know that Australia’s rural, regional and remote communities experience poorer health outcomes compared to their urban counterparts,” said the Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen.

“National Rural Health Month highlights health sector stakeholders who are working towards tangible and sustainable healthcare solutions for rural Australians.”

“On average, a person living in rural Australia receives $848 less in healthcare funding each year, which equates to a $6.55 billion underspend across the country. This is despite rural industries generating about 80 per cent of Australia’s exports and providing about 90 per cent of the fresh food in our markets,” she said.

Rural people experience a triple health disadvantage: poorer circumstances in terms of social determinants of health, a lack of service availability, and higher costs of access and delivery, all resulting in poor health outcomes.

“Rural communities are amazingly resilient and innovative in their solutions to overcome healthcare challenges. As such, National Rural Health Month is also a time to reflect on their achievements that help bring positive changes.

This National Rural Health Month let’s celebrate the positives and start turning around the negatives!

Keep your eye on the Alliance’s social media accounts and the hashtag #NationalRuralHealthMonth and #NRHM24 throughout November for day-to-day stories of rural Australians and their healthcare journeys.

The National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance) comprises 53 national organisations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the over 7 million people in rural and remote Australia. Our diverse membership includes representation from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector, health professional organisations, health service providers, health educators and students.