News
Medical Chief Welcomes Rural Health Information Guide
7th February 2006
The Government's Chief Medical Officer has welcomed the launch of a new guide that provides essential information for people and organisations addressing rural health issues across the UK.
Sir Liam Donaldson has contributed the foreword to the 'Think Rural Health Data' booklet, which has been compiled by researchers from the widely respected Institute of Rural Health (IRH) with funding support from Defra.
"We often think of life in rural areas as being something of an idyll," said Sir Liam. "But there is now a wealth of evidence highlighting issues of rural deprivation and social exclusion which has a potential impact on the health of those living in rural communities.
"Meeting the challenge of improving the well being of those living in rural areas is one that requires a multi-agency approach. I welcome the contribution that this guide makes to improving the collection and analysis of relevant data so that we can better understand and address the health needs of people living in rural communities."
The guide has been compiled by research manager Dr Jenny Deaville and researcher Helen Porter from the IRH, an organisation dedicated to optimising health and well being in rural communities across the UK.
"The majority of readers of this guide will be familiar with the wide range of data sources available but may also be aware of the challenges posed in collating and analysing data that covers rural communities," said Mrs Porter.
The guide recommends collaboration between major data providers under confidentiality agreements to provide more rurally sensitive information at a local level.
Dr Deaville explained: "Routine health statistics are often collated at a Unitary Authority level but this can tell us very little about health issues in rural communities. One thing we find every time we talk to Government departments in both England and Wales is that they want to know the hard facts and figures about why rural health is different.
"We have anecdotal evidence but not the hard facts. National statistics don't tell you what is happening in rural areas at a local level, yet we are expecting local health organisations to deliver services based on this information.
"How to obtain statistics for small areas whilst maintaining confidentiality is a thorny issue. People like health visitors collect all sorts of information, which has potential, but a lot of work needs to be done to find the best ways of collating this to ensure that it is not only robust and protects anonymity but also gives detailed pictures of rural health issues.
"We need this evidence base to achieve positive outcomes for people living in rural areas who need access to health services."
Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight welcomed the publication of the guide, saying: "This is an important and timely publication which reaches to the heart of Government's rural agenda. Defra has a clear vision for developing sustainable rural communities, through providing more affordable housing, improving service delivery and tackling rural disadvantage. Central to this is a strong focus on tackling rural social exclusion and deprivation.
"There can be no doubt that there is a clear link between rural deprivation and health and wellbeing. There is a wealth of evidence which now exists regarding the extent of rural deprivation in this county and we need to take steps to address this."
The IRH says 'Think Rural Health Data' provides a valuable platform for future research into rural health by DEFRA and the wider community.
'Think Rural Health Data' arose out of the original research report 'Health Data, a Health Check'. This full report is available on the internet at www.rural-health.ac.uk. The 'Think Rural Health Data' booklet includes a CD-Rom which contains the full Master Table from the original report.
