Volume six, Issue 2

Obesity appears to be a significant threat to the health of rural communities in developed nations. This data from rural Queensland suggests the problem may be even worse than was prevously thought.

What is the prevalence of mental illness in rural communities? This article from Australia adds new evidence for us to consider.

Are clinical simulators a way of the future for rural clinical education? Are they really only a rich person's toy? This article reviews this new field and the implications for rural health professionals.

New generations of researchers are exploring the interactions between culture, origins, locations, occupations, and peoples. These researchers probe the vast contributions of rural women caregivers in Canada, helping to understand what we know and where we should go with further studies.

These researchers explore the impact of chronic disease on health-related quality of life in a rural, remote Canadian community - the Bella Coola Valley. Using new instruments and working collaboratively, the study is a model worthy of widespread replication for those who seek answers at the interface of culture, disease, economics, and health.

This study on breastfeeding in a rural Australian community suggests an increased role for senior women within the community. Would this also apply to your community?

Many cases of quail poisoning in adults have been reported previously. What makes this case interesting is that it is a report of quail poisoning in a child.

Do Aboriginal Health Workers have a place in rural pharmacies to improve the use of prescribed medications? See what this new research suggests.

Is an Aboriginal Community Liaison Worker an effective alternative to an Aboriginal Health Worker? What are the differences? This article presents the author's personal experience of working with an Aboriginal Community Liaison Worker in an Australian women's health project.

Rural Thailand communities have a high prevelence of endemic haemoglobin disorders. This letter highlights a cost-effective detection method suitable for rural health services.

This conference report provides an interesting approach to capturing and discussing challenges and solutions to frequent and important rural health issues. It provides four clinical scenarios presented to a 2005 conference in Tromso, Norway. The scenarios have been enriched and enhanced by the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the conference's participants.

Remote-dwelling Indigenous children have frustratingly poor dental health. Why? This article provides some possible reasons for you to consider.

What do indigenous people see as the major concerns in relation to substance abuse in their rural community? This article documents the views from an Australian regional centre.

Is there a difference in the academic performance and research involvement of medical students from urban and rural backgrounds? This study from Croatia suggests there is.

What is the future demographic of rural communities? This article from Western Australia provides a clear and thought-provoking view.

Significant racial differences have demonstrated in incidence, age of onset, outcome and subsequent risk factors of stroke. This article from Xanthi region in northern Greece takes a different approach and examines the difference in stroke incidence between its Muslim and Christian populations.

Ond of the privildeges of rural practice is working and living with indigenous communities. However, there is often little data with which to guide our health efforts. This article provides as start in relation to nutrition for one Indigenous group in India.

Most now agree with the concept of the rural medical pipeline for creating a sustainable workforce. Are parts of the pipe still constricted or leaking? This article looks at the impact of cadetships in Australia on career choice- could they be one of the ways of keeping the pipe open?

Does community participation assist in supervision of health workers in rural settings? This evidence from rural Thailand would suggest it can.