Abstract Book: 13th EURIPA Rural Health Forum
Abstract Book
13th EURIPA Rural Health Forum
Lincoln, UK
June 20–22, 2024
Abstract
Tackling Health Inequalities in Rural and Remote Communities
As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century globally populations are experiencing urgent place-based inequalities. Responding to these growing population health and wellbeing challenges are strategic and urgent priorities for healthcare professionals and organisations around the world. Rural, remote and coastal communities are disproportionately challenged by complex factors exposing their indigenous and migrant populations to higher levels of deprivation, economic shock and weather-related disasters and climate change impacts. Residents in isolated, rural or peripheral communities experience significant levels of deprivation with poorer health outcomes, culminating in higher rates of preventable conditions, increased incidences of emergency presentations and shorter life expectancies, in some cases up to a decade shorter than national averages.
The reality of isolated or rural living is that communities experience significant challenges in accessing major services and infrastructures due to failing or inadequate road networks, poor digital coverage, and the withdrawal of business and public enterprises on economic grounds. For coastal, estuary and island communities there are additional impacts of flooding and physical geographic hazards because of rising sea levels and climate change. These multi-factorial challenges are creating an a ‘perfect storm’ in public health, which is challenging the capacity and capability of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare systems to provide effective responses. In the United Kingdom, 85% of the landmass is rural and home to 10 million people, with around 17% of the population living as coastal residents. With more than 50 miles (80km) of coastline and wetlands, Lincolnshire is one of the largest counties in England facing both environmental and social challenges relating to geographical place of residence - these challenges will produce huge strain on all levels of society and human services and our responses will have long-lasting impacts.
Tackling health inequalities in rural and remote communities is an imperative need that requires collaborative, co-produced and inclusive responses across governments, academia and communities to develop effective and sustainable solutions. Engaging with communities to understand what the problems are and working to find simple solutions that are context appropriate can be extremely empowering for people and bring solutions that are more sustainable. Developing, co-designing and connecting research agendas and healthcare delivery solutions regionally, nationally and internationally through the EURIPA forum will enhance our understanding of urgent place-based inequalities. Through a shared vision on rural health promotion and inclusive health provision this year’s delegates at the Forum in Lincoln contribute to the step-change required to weather the coming storms.
Professor Mark Gussy,
Director Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH)
Global Professor of Rural Health and Social Care
13th EURIPA Rural Health Forum Co-chair
Key words: rural health, health inequalities, rural and remote communities, coastal communities