Associate Professor Allison Beauchamp from Monash Rural Health has received a

$597,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future

Fund (MRFF), to research ways to increase accessibility of care for coronary heart
disease.

The Equal Hearts Study will explore factors affecting accessibility of cardiovascular care
and co-design and test an intervention that addresses these factors.

According to Associate Professor Beauchamp, “Australians who live with social

disadvantage are more likely to have heart disease, yet these groups often have lower
health literacy and greater difficulty communicating with healthcare providers.”

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of death in Australia, and lower
socioeconomic groups carry the greatest burden of disease. However, not all
Australians have equitable access to cardiac services, meaning that disadvantaged
groups often miss out on receiving the best possible care.

Through a mixed-methods research approach, followed up by designing and

implementing solutions in a targeted randomised control trial, this research will show the
potential for developing interventions that work in meeting the needs of disadvantaged
groups.  Partnering with Monash Health, Northern Health, Grampians Health and Colac
Area Health, the research will also provide guidance for health services seeking to
improve and monitor equity of access for their underserved populations. Associate
Professor Beauchamp hopes that the research will “overcome some of the barriers to
equitable care for coronary heart disease, and ultimately save lives through positive
interventions.”

Professor Shane Bullock, Head of School at Monash Rural Health, congratulated

Associate Professor Beauchamp on securing this prestigious funding.

“This project continues Alison's significant and impactful research into increasing health
literacy and reducing health inequality in the delivery of cardiac services to vulnerable
populations. Importantly, this work strongly articulates with the School's mission to
improve the health outcomes for disadvantaged communities.”