Funding health research and community-led innovations that deliver real-world impact for rural, regional and remote Australia.

Potentially avoidable deaths in Very Remote Australia are 2.5 times higher in males and 3.7 times higher in females.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer are in the top five leading causes outside of Major Cities.

Hospitalisations for coronary heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease are respectively 1.5x, 2.6x and 346 times higher, when comparing Remote areas to Major Cities.

Bowel cancer rates are higher in rural and remote areas compared to urban areas due to limited access to healthcare services, reduced screening participation and not being exposed to public health campaigns.

Diabetes and suicide are among the top five in Remote and Very Remote areas.

Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disease are among the top five health issues in Inner Regional areas.

Limited access to prevention programs and early diagnosis multiplies future health costs and contributes to the higher rates of chronic disease and premature and preventable deaths in rural and remote areas.

The higher rates of preventable disease in rural areas can lead to higher long-term healthcare costs due to the need for more intensive treatments and interventions. Every dollar invested in preventative health saves $14.30 in healthcare and other costs.

It was estimated that people living in rural, regional, and remote areas were more likely to engage in risky behaviours, compared with people living in Major cities.

Loneliness affects approximately 35% of rural Australians with detrimental impacts on physical, emotional, and social health.