Tackling heart attack and stroke inequities in remote areas

At the mobile cardiac CT scanner at Bourke Hospital l-r: Senior Radiographer Ollie Mulcock, Siemens CT equipment specialist Georgie Smith, Professor of Radiology at Sydney University Stuart Grieve, Professor Gemma Figtree from Sydney University, and Cardiologist Dr Melissa Doohan. Photo TWH

Did you know that Bourke has a cardiovascular death rate of more than twice the national average?

In order to tackle the problem, a workshop in Dubbo on May 15 brought together doctors, researchers, patients, and health leaders to address the critical issue of heart attack and stroke in rural and remote communities.

The workshop had input from local Bourke GP Dr Mark Tattersall, Councillor Sally Davis, and Dubbo Cardiologist Tilak Sirisena, among others.

Co-hosted by the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and the University of Sydney’s Cardiovascular Initiative, the workshop focused on the stark disparities in heart and stroke health outcomes between rural areas and urban centres.

For instance, Bourke currently has a cardiovascular mortality rate more than four times that of northern Sydney.

The workshop also highlighted the significant healthcare “access challenges” faced by rural and remote communities.[…]

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

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