Australian Journal of Rural Health最新文献

{"title":"Correction to ‘Gestational Weight Monitoring in Rural and Regional Populations: Women's Knowledge, Experience and Recommendations for Models of Care’","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70215","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70215","url":null,"abstract":"<p>B. Fitzpatrick, S. de Jersey, S. Wilkinson and N. Ward, “Gestational Weight Monitoring in Rural and Regional Populations: Women's Knowledge, Experience and Recommendations for Models of Care,” Australian Journal of Rural Health 33, no. 2 (2025): e70042. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.70042.</p><p>In paragraph 7 of the ‘Results’ section, the number reported next to the percentage was incorrect.</p><p>It was incorrectly written as ‘Around one-quarter of women (24%, <i>n</i> = 67) report a doctor or (25%, <i>n</i> = 2) midwife making them feel uncomfortable about their weight’.</p><p>The correction is ‘Around one-quarter of women (24%, <i>n</i> = 33) report a doctor or (25%, <i>n</i> = 36) midwife making them feel uncomfortable about their weight’.</p><p>We apologise for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ajr.70215","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148413947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Scale-Up and Sustainability of the Paediatric ESCALATION System in Country Western Australia: A Multi-Methods Study","authors":"Eileen Boyle,&nbsp;Pamela Laird,&nbsp;Gavin D. Leslie,&nbsp;Scott Stokes,&nbsp;Jenni Andrew,&nbsp;Jon Howard,&nbsp;Melanie Robinson,&nbsp;Tania Harris,&nbsp;Fenella J. Gill","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70229","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70229","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To identify factors influencing implementation and integration of the paediatric ESCALATION system in country Western Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Setting and Participants</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Health professionals (nurses and doctors) working in country Western Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A multi-methods study using an interpretive descriptive approach guided by the Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) and Normalisation Process Theory (NPT). Data collection across six sites included patient chart audit, health professional survey and focus groups/interviews. Data were analysed descriptively (audit and survey) and thematically (focus groups/interviews).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>An audit of 94 patient charts showed 61.7% met escalation of care criteria, while 69.0% of cases were escalated per policy. Among 114 survey responses, findings indicated system integration, with 95.6% reporting ESCALATION was part of their role, 93.5% agreeing it supported early detection of clinical deterioration and 93.8% reporting ease of use. Fewer identified local champions (66.7%), had confidence in others' use of the system (61.1%), reported sufficient training (69.0%), or were aware of reports demonstrating system effectiveness (55.0%). Seventy-eight health professionals participated in focus groups/interviews. Three themes were interpreted through the PRISM and NPT frameworks: (i) Enhanced patient safety (intervention characteristics and participants' perspectives; coherence; cognitive participation), (ii) Strengthening clinical decision-making (implementation and sustainability infrastructure; cognitive participation; collective action), (iii) Monitoring and fidelity (implementation and sustainability infrastructure, external; collective action; reflexive monitoring).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The paediatric ESCALATION system is embedded and valued, but sustaining fidelity through scale-up requires ongoing training, teamwork, confident communication and organisational support across regional, rural and remote WA health services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ajr.70229","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148413996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intracerebral Haemorrhage in the Top End of the Northern Territory; Risk Factors, Outcomes and the Presence of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Indigenous Peoples","authors":"Marianna Diamandopoulos,&nbsp;Alvaro Cervera,&nbsp;Geoffrey A. Donnan","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70204","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70204","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The prevalence of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in the Northern Territory (NT) is unknown. This study aims to improve knowledge of haemorrhagic stroke in the NT, to evaluate the relevance of CAA and examine its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Retrospective assessment of ICH cases admitted at Royal Darwin Hospital from 2015 to 2019. Epidural, traumatic, or aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhages were excluded. We assessed neuroimaging, demographics, kidney function, risk factors, and outcome. We examined differences in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, the association of CKD with outcome, and CAA prevalence.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We found 156 cases, mean age 63, 45% women and 34.0% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. MRI was performed in 39% of patients; 25% had possible/probable CAA. Mortality during admission was 37.2% and 32.7% were dependent. Mortality was independently associated with ICH volume and CKD. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients were younger, with higher smoking prevalence, diabetes, and CKD, and had lower independence at discharge. However, the prevalence of CAA was not different between groups, and CAA was not associated with CKD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>ICH in the NT has a poor outcome. The main predictors of mortality are CKD and ICH volume. There is no association between CKD and CAA, and CAA is not more prevalent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. CAA may be underestimated due to a lack of MRI, which was rarely performed in patients who died. Therefore, a prospective study is warranted to better characterise CAA in the NT.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ajr.70204","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148406792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Competencies and Skills of Australian Rural Psychologists","authors":"Margot P. Moody,&nbsp;Natasha M. Loi,&nbsp;Adam J. Rock,&nbsp;Kim J. Usher,&nbsp;Kylie Rice","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.70228","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The ratio of psychologists to the population is vastly lower in rural communities compared to urban areas, and more clinicians are critically needed in rural Australia. Other health disciplines have implemented generalist frameworks and training to encourage and prepare clinicians to remain in rural practice. Research often references rural psychology practice in conjunction with the broader allied health discipline.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Though prior research has identified skills needed for rural psychology practice, further research is needed to expand and update the current understanding of rural psychology competencies. Therefore, the current study explored the competencies and skills used by rural psychologists.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Qualitative interviews with 15 rural psychologists from across Australia were conducted and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Participants spoke of the unique skills required to manage the challenges of rural practice, identifying eight thematic competencies: <i>clinical skills, networking, cultural responsiveness, practitioner wellbeing, ethics, risk, professional development</i> and <i>telehealth.</i></p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Themes highlighted the need for a discipline-specific approach to supporting rural psychologists in practice. Applications of this research, particularly towards supporting and retaining psychologists in rural Australia, are discussed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/ajr.70228","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148358015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Towards a Shared Language for Rural Health Service-Learning Placements","authors":"Katrina Bird,&nbsp;Alice Cairns,&nbsp;Catherine Seaton,&nbsp;James Debenham","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70201","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70201","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148201044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lessons Learned From a Victorian Regional Allied Health Professional and Workforce Support Project","authors":"Sarah Gallagher,&nbsp;Marcus Gardner","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70219","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70219","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Problem</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Accessing professional support such as professional development, clinical supervision and peer support can be difficult for rural and regional allied health (AH) clinicians and may have a negative impact on workforce recruitment and retention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Setting</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The Loddon Mallee Health Network, a Health Service Partnership of 19 health services in North-Western Victoria. Professions included were AH therapy professions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Key Measures for Improvement</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five professional support and workforce capacity building strategies were implemented, relating to clinical supervision, building capacity to provide student placements, professional development, graduate support and building AH clinical educator capacity. Program logic was used as the overarching methodology to evaluate the implementation of these strategies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Strategies for Change</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The project engaged AH managers, clinical educators and clinicians from across the region to collaboratively develop and implement the identified professional support strategies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Effects of Change</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Access to professional support and building the capacity of the workforce improved through shared approaches including the following: clinical supervision, professional shadowing and peer support for educators and shared student placements.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Lessons Learnt</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Benefits to using a regional approach to plan, deliver and evaluate professional support for AH were identified. Recommendations are made to inform collaborative approaches to professional support in regional settings.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148159116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enablers and Barriers to the Implementation of the Allied Health Rural Generalist Education and Training Scheme in Rural and Remote Private and Non-Government Contexts in Australia.","authors":"Alison Dymmott, Chloe McDonough, Jenny Cleland, Chris Brebner, Stacey George, Narelle Campbell, Paul Worley, Cath Maloney, Gemma Tuxworth, Rachel Milte","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70223","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Australian rural and remote communities face challenges accessing allied health services due to a range of workforce, funding and service challenges. The Allied Health Rural Generalist Education and Training Scheme (TAHRGETS) was introduced to provide training, supervision and workplace project opportunities for early career allied health professionals across rural and remote private and non-government services in Australia. The purpose of this study was to explore the enablers and barriers to implementing rural generalist training positions in private and non-government settings and make recommendations for sustainable implementation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study utilising semi-structured interviews was undertaken utilising thematic analysis which was then mapped against the Integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-five allied health professionals, 21 managers and supervisors and five project team members were interviewed. Twenty-six characteristics were identified including 19 enablers and 11 barriers to implementation. Enablers included the structured nature of the training positions, study time at work, funding provided to organisations, facilitation of the programme and support provided by managers and supervisors. Barriers included recruiting participants while transitioning into the workforce, time constraints, workload pressures and limited incentive for completion.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Rural generalist training positions for private and non-government organisations across rural and remote Australia were enabled through tailored support mechanisms and robust facilitation; however, policy level recognition is required for ongoing sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13262234/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148228943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Short-Term Fixes, Long-Term Gaps: Addressing Rural Health Workforce Challenges in Queensland.","authors":"Thu Nguyen, Lana M Elliott, Karen Johnston, Stephanie M Topp","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70214","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To assess the scope and distribution of rural health workforce policies at both national and state (Queensland) levels through a systematic analysis of their status and characteristics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mapping review was adopted, with rural health workforce policy documents identified and extracted from websites of the national Department of Health and Aged Care, Queensland Health, and Queensland's Rural Workforce Agency. Documents were coded for demographic data, policy type, health profession, and overarching strategic focus on health workforce supply, distribution, and performance.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>From the total of 12 921 rural health workforce policy documents identified in national and state repositories, 118 documents (67 national and 51 Queensland state) were included for synthesis. Analysis showed that the national rural health workforce policy is dominated by short-term mixed policy instruments-grants, programs, and sub-programs. After 2018, national policy showed a more balanced coverage of supply, distribution, and performance, compared with the stronger supply emphasis evident among policies issued before 2018. Queensland-specific policy places greater emphasis on retention, primarily through incentives embedded in employment policies, including financial allowances, leave, development opportunities, and workload management provision. However, these policies give limited attention to broader drivers of retention that are well established in the literature, including social, cultural, and work environment factors. Policy attention to performance is relatively narrow, focusing more on individual or professional outcomes than on system-level workforce outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings highlight the complexity and underlying fragmentation of Australia's rural health workforce policy. The layering of multiple nationally driven programs alongside state-level employment policy makes it difficult to assess the individual scope, overall coherence, interaction, and impact of health workforce policy in rural and remote regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148037745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How Can Community Paramedics Help in Addressing Mental Health for Vulnerable Australians?","authors":"Laura Hemming, Ruth Hardman, Louise Reynolds, Renee Sharples, Gina Agarwal, Evelien Spelten","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70199","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Older adults in rural communities often have difficulty accessing mental healthcare. Community paramedicine may offer a novel opportunity to address this need. This study aimed to explore whether a feasibility trial of a community paramedicine programme, CP@clinic, can influence mental health outcomes in rural adults.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This study was conducted in a regional town in Victoria, Australia, across six clinic sites, offering a free, 3-h drop-in service with community paramedics for individuals seeking health assessments or advice.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>205 clients (mean age 70 years) attended a community paramedic clinic.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>The mixed-methods feasibility trial ran from 2022 to 2024. Data was recorded on chronic disease, quality of life, loneliness and mental health. Fourteen participants were interviewed to explore experiences and perceived benefits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>47% of clients attending CP@clinic reported anxiety or depression. These participants experienced higher rates of social isolation, poverty, and health lifestyle risks. Participants reported that CP@clinic helped to improve their mental health both directly, through onward referrals to healthcare providers, and indirectly through improvements in mental health determinants across physical and social domains.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found a clear overlap between mental, physical, and social health needs of CP@clinic consumers. There is a need for accessible community-based services that address the mental health needs of older rural adults. CP@clinic may provide an opportunity to improve mental wellbeing in this population and should be further evaluated for this purpose.</p>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13126251/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping the Aggregated Behavioural Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer by Small Areas Across Australia.","authors":"Belinda C Goodwin, Larry S Myers, Nicole Perry, Jessica K Cameron, Peter Baade, Matthew Browne, Beatrice Murawski, Louisa G Collins","doi":"10.1111/ajr.70221","DOIUrl":"10.1111/ajr.70221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Disparities in colorectal cancer exist for incidence and survival in disadvantaged and rural areas. This study created a composite indicator of multiple modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer to visualise relative prevalence across Australia at the small-area level and by socio-economic status.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional ecological analysis.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The Australian 2020-2021 National Health Survey.</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>9796 participants sampled from the Australian adult population (18 years +), living in 2350 small areas.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on the prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and physical activity were used to generate colorectal cancer risk index scores. Index scores were calculated for each person, and mean scores were created for each small area using Bayesian spatial modelling. Index scores were compared across area-level socio-economic quintiles and geographical remoteness subgroups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Although limited data was available in remote areas, observed patterns indicated that locations outside of major cities tended to have moderate-to-high index scores (mean 0.44, SD 0.25), while major cities showed higher proportions of areas with lower but more variable scores overall (mean 0.34 SD 0.21). Risk scores were higher in disadvantaged areas (0.39, SD 0.21) than advantaged areas (0.33. SD 0.21). This trend was consistent across education, occupation, and economic resources indices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>People living further away from major cities and in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas may be more likely to have multiple modifiable health behaviours for colorectal cancer. When applied to a geographically representative dataset, the Index may be used to inform targeted health promotion interventions and localised community-based actions to reduce colorectal cancer risk and close the socio-economic and geographical gaps in incidence and mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":55421,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Rural Health","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13266280/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}