Researchers from the Deakin Institute for Health Transformation’s Equitable Cancer Outcomes across Rural and Remote Australia (ECORRA) program have contributed to a range of national consultations, policy reviews and funding initiatives focused on improving health outcomes, research capacity and cancer care across Australia.
Across these submissions, ECORRA has consistently advocated for equity-focused approaches that address the unique challenges faced by rural, remote and regional communities, while supporting innovation, consumer involvement, data-driven decision making and access to high-quality healthcare.
Key themes
Across its submissions, ECORRA highlighted opportunities to strengthen health and medical research, cancer care and health system performance through:
- Recognising the diversity of rural, remote and regional communities and ensuring policies reflect their cultural, social and geographic contexts.
- Reducing inequities in access to healthcare, screening programs, diagnostic services and research opportunities, particularly for rural and remote populations.
- Embedding equity considerations, cultural safety and genuine consumer and community involvement in research, policy development and service design.
- Strengthening health data systems through improved quality, interoperability, accessibility, governance and reporting mechanisms.
- Supporting evidence translation into policy and practice through implementation science, knowledge translation and sustainable partnerships between researchers, health services and communities.
- Expanding investment in digital health, telehealth, data infrastructure and emerging technologies to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
- Building and sustaining a skilled health and research workforce through training, mentorship, leadership development and rural career pathways.
- Improving access to cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment through innovative service delivery models, including mobile and community-based approaches.
- Supporting accountability, evaluation and continuous improvement through clear performance indicators, monitoring frameworks and transparent reporting.
- Promoting collaborative governance, Indigenous leadership, co-design approaches and national coordination to ensure research and health system initiatives deliver meaningful and equitable outcomes.
This body of work reflects ECORRA’s ongoing commitment to improving health equity and ensuring that people living in rural, remote and regional Australia have access to high-quality, evidence-informed healthcare and research opportunities.
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