A framework for regional primary health care to organise actions to address health inequities

Toby Freeman (), Sara Javanparast (), Fran Baum (), Anna Ziersch () and Tamara Mackean ()
Additional contact information
Toby Freeman: Flinders University
Sara Javanparast: Flinders University
Fran Baum: Flinders University
Anna Ziersch: Flinders University
Tamara Mackean: Flinders University

International Journal of Public Health, 2018, vol. 63, issue 5, No 4, 567-575

Abstract: Abstract Objectives Regional primary health-care organisations plan, co-ordinate, and fund some primary health-care services in a designated region. This article presents a framework for examining the equity performance of regional primary health-care organisations, and applies it to Australian Medicare Locals (funded from 2011 to 2015). Methods The framework was developed based on theory, literature, and researcher deliberation. Data were drawn from Medicare Local documents, an online survey of 210 senior Medicare Local staff, and interviews with 50 survey respondents. Results The framework encompassed equity in planning, collection of equity data, community engagement, and strategies to address equity in access, health outcomes, and social determinants of health. When the framework was applied to Medicare Locals, their inclusion of equity as a goal, collection of equity data, community engagement, and actions improving equity of access were strong, but there were gaps in broader advocacy, and strategies to address social determinants of health, and equity in quality of care. Conclusions The equity framework allows a platform for advancing knowledge and international comparison of the health equity efforts of regional primary health-care organisations.

Keywords: Health equity; Primary health care; Social determinants of health; Health promotion; Equity of access (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-018-1083-9

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