Influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural health.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a framework for investigating the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on rural health.


METHODS
Discussion paper.


RESULTS
Socioeconomic and cultural factors have long been thought to influence an individual's health. We suggest a framework for characterising these factors that comprises individual-level (e.g. individual socioeconomic status, sex, race) and neighbourhood-level dimensions (population composition, social environment, physical environment) operating both independently and through interaction. Recent spatial research suggests that in rural communities, socioeconomic disadvantage and indigenous status are two of the greatest underlying influences on health status. However, rural communities also face additional challenges associated with access to, and utilisation of, health care. The example is given of procedural angiography for individuals with an acute coronary event.


CONCLUSIONS
Socioeconomic and cultural factors specific to rural Australia are key influences on the health of residents. These range from individual-level factors, such as rural stoicism, poverty and substance use norms, to neighbourhood-level social characteristics, such as lack of services, migration out of rural areas of younger community members weakening traditionally high levels of social cohesion, and to environmental factors, such as climate change and access to services.
Beard
John R
JR
Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA. jbeard@nyam.org
Tomaska
Nola
N
Earnest
Arul
A
Summerhayes
Richard
R
Morgan
Geoff
G
D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D012423:Rural Health; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class