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Evaluating local primary health care actions to address health inequities

Analysis of Australia’s Primary Health Networks

Published Date: 21.11.2023

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Theme: Service systems

Sub-theme: Health care services

Primary health care Evaluation Social determinants of health Inequity

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Theme: Service systems

Sub-theme: Health care services

View Publication Primary health care Evaluation Social determinants of health Inequity

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Evaluating local primary health care actions to address health inequities

Analysis of Australia’s Primary Health Networks

Published Date: 21.11.2023

  • Author/ Authors

    Alice Windle, Sara Javanparast, Toby Freeman, Fran Baum

Long Summary

Background
Meso-level, regional primary health care organisations such as Australia’s Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are well placed to address health inequities through comprehensive primary health care approaches. This study aimed to examine the equity actions of PHNs and identify factors that hinder or enable the equity-orientation of PHNs’ activities.

Methods
Analysis of all 31 PHNs’ public planning documents. Case studies with a sample of five PHNs, drawing on 29 original interviews with key stakeholders, secondary analysis of 38 prior interviews, and analysis of 30 internal planning guidance documents. This study employed an existing framework to examine equity actions.

Results
PHNs displayed clear intentions and goals for health equity and collected considerable evidence of health inequities. However, their planned activities were largely restricted to individualistic clinical and behavioural approaches, with little to facilitate access to other health and social services, or act on the broader social determinants of health. PHNs’ equity-oriented planning was enabled by organisational values for equity, evidence of local health inequities, and engagement with local stakeholders. Equity-oriented planning was hindered by federal government constraints and lack of equity-oriented prompts in the planning process.

Author's / Publisher's Contact Details:

alice.windle@flinders.edu.au

    Key Messages for Carers


  • Carers can learn how factors that shape the social determinants of health (education, employment, income, housing, social inclusion, food security) can be addressed and supported through holistic healthcare. This article measures the effectiveness of PHNs against their commitment to improving health equity.

  • Key Messages for Policy Makers


  • This journal article explores the importance of equity-oriented approaches to healthcare. Research findings will help inform the work of policy makers and practitioners who are looking to embed principles of health equity in health service delivery.

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The Carer Knowledge Exchange is led by Carers NSW and proudly funded by the NSW Government. It was established as a partnership between Carers NSW and the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney from 2021-2024. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.