Health care reform - Facing inequities

There are large differentials in the health of the most and least advantaged Australians and primary health care has an important role to play in reducing these. However population to general practitioner ratios are higher in disadvantaged areas, and these GPs see a higher number of patients, generally for shorter consultations. Patient expenditure on health care, including pharmaceuticals, has increased to an average of 5% of household income and there is evidence that this is a barrier to the receipt of optimal health care.