Rural Australians dying earlier, from avoidable illness

Small rural towns have almost 60 per cent fewer health professionals than major cities. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

THE HEALTH DIVIDE IN RURAL AUSTRALIA

* Men living in remote areas die 14 years earlier than their city peers, while women die 12 years earlier

* Potentially avoidable deaths in very remote areas are 2.5 times higher in males and 2.8 times higher in females

* Coronary heart disease burden in remote areas is 2.2 times higher

* Chronic kidney disease results in 3.2 times the disease burden in remote areas

* Rural people are 24 times more likely to be hospitalised due to domestic violence

* 44,930 people in remote Australia do not have access to primary healthcare one hour's drive from their homes

* People living in rural Australia utilise Medicare up to half the rate

* There is a rural health funding shortfall of $6.5 billion, or $850 per person

* The prevalence of GPs providing primary care has been reducing in very remote areas, with the Northern Territory having the lowest rate of doctors

* Small rural towns have almost 60 per cent fewer health professionals than major cities

Source: National Rural Health Alliance's rural health in Australia snapshot 2023

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store