More than a quarter, or 27 per cent, of Australians living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage delayed or did not see a dental professional when needed due to cost, according to data recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Robert Long, ABS head of health statistics, said: “This was more than twice the rate of people from areas of least disadvantage, which was 11 per cent.”
Areas of most socio-economic disadvantage also saw 11 per cent of people delaying or going without prescription medication when needed due to cost. This was nearly double the rate of people from areas of least disadvantage (six per cent).
“Only 35 per cent of people living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage had private health insurance cover, compared to 79 per cent of those living in areas of least disadvantage,” Long said.
People living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were also more likely to report waiting longer than they felt acceptable for a GP or medical specialist appointment than those living in areas of least disadvantage.
They were also less likely to have a telehealth consultation.
“On a more positive note, people living in areas of most socio-economic disadvantage were more likely to receive coordination of their care than those living in areas of least disadvantage,” Long said.
When compared to 2022-23, fewer people delayed seeing, or did not see, GPs (29 per cent compared to 30 per cent), dental professionals (28 per cent compared to 30 per cent), or medical specialists (21 per cent compared to 23 per cent) when needed in 2023-24.
More people could always see their preferred GP when needed than in 2022-23 (66 per cent compared to 64 per cent).
Reported waiting times to see a GP for urgent medical care remained similar between 2023-24 and 2022-23.
