Open AccessEvaluating the importance of information sources for preventive health care in rural Australia
Author(s) -
Humphreys John S.,
Rolley Frances,
Weinand Herb C.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
australian journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1035-7319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.1993.tb00124.x
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , medline , medical emergency , rural health , business , rural area , political science , pathology , law
Health promotion and prevention are critical elements of public health programs designed to improve health status and extend life chances. The pattern of mortality and morbidity in rural Australia suggests a particularly important role for health promotion and preventive measures in country areas. However, the importance of preventive health measures and how people access health‐related information is not well understood. This study examines which sources of health‐related information are most valued by rural residents and whether the importance attributed to different sources varies according to age, sex and geographic location. The results demonstrate the overwhelming importance of the general practitioner and pharmacist in provision of preventive health information for all rural people. There is a need to ensure that the work carried out by all those involved with health promotion is closely integrated with that of rural general practitioners.