Many country towns are witnessing cutbacks and are finding it difficult to attract health professionals. The health of populations living in rural and remote areas of Australia is worse than of those living in capital cities and other metropolitan areas. Mortality and illness levels increase as the distance from metropolitan centres increases. Relatively poor access to health services, lower socioeconomic status and employment levels, exposure to comparatively harsher environments and occupational hazards contribute to and may explain most of these inequalities. Rural Australians are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, asthma and diabetes among other diseases.
Suicide rates are especially high for young rural males.
The number of health care professionals in an area is an important factor influencing the health status of country Australians. Although over the course of 1998-99 there was increasing recognition of the problem of diminishing health services in rural areas, essential health services are still lacking in many areas. There is limited access to a range of other health care professionals including specialists and allied health workers. Action by Governments There have been some encouraging signs of governments commitment to ensuring adequate health services in regional Australia. While most health funding comes from the Commonwealth, most programs are initiated and implemented by State and Territory health departments.