A health check
can save your life!
It’s a long way to anywhere in rural Australia. Sometimes hours if you’re living remotely. But it’s not only the distance in kilometres that hurts. It’s the gap that exists in access to skilled clinicians, equipment, and health programs.
We provide free health checks to people from rural and remote locations. Our mobile health clinic is available for rural events. Giving those who don’t see a doctor regularly a chance for a health check-up. We examine key risk factors and provide information to people with health concerns.
Why health checks are needed
- Statistics show that rural and remote mortality rates are 1.8 times higher than in metropolitan areas.
- 3 in 5 rural and remote people don’t see a specialist when it’s required, because there isn’t one close by.
- Overall, people living in rural and remote areas have lower life expectancy and greater chance of disease.
“Many of those attending our free health clinic had not seen a doctor in five years.”
How our health clinics work
We set up our health check clinic so that anyone can pop into our stall at rural events for a free check-up. We check for diabetes, chronic disease, and cardiovascular risk. As well as chat with patients about their general wellbeing. We give patients a written health assessment. And, where necessary, we encourage them to seek further medical advice. Often checks highlight important health concerns which require further investigation.
Volunteer doctors and medical students under supervision conduct the health check. We recruit medical students from the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) and the James Cook University (JCU) Rural Generalist Program. This is a great chance for students to work with rural people in practice and encourages more practitioners in our rural and remote communities. All checks are overseen by a practicing Clinician.
“It is our vision to offer health checks to every rural and remote community across Australia.
We know from experience they reduce risk of disease and improve health outcomes for rural and remote people.
Help us expand our free health clinics
We can reach more people at more events and have a bigger impact across the whole of rural and remote Australia. It will mean more health data, and more lives saved. And we think that’s pretty important. If you do too, join Rural Doctors Foundation in working to fill the gaps in healthcare that are part of life in rural and remote Australia.