Stretton Health Equity

Leading high-quality research on the social and economic determinants of health and health equity.

Stretton Health Equity conducts highly relevant research into the promotion of population mental and physical health and health equity, as well as the reduction of social and economic exclusion. Our research informs practice and policy development both in Australia and overseas.

We focus on what can be done about the underlying factors that determine the distribution of health and wellbeing outcomes, investigate why health inequities exist, what can be done about them and how population health overall can be improved.

Our research topics include areas such as primary health care, the commercial determinants of health, Health in All Policies, and assessment of policies in a range of areas including housing, urban planning, trade and social welfare in terms of their health and wellbeing impacts.

Our team receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). We work in collaboration with government agencies, health services, local community groups, and many more.

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We aim to produce relevant policy, engaged research on health inequities, and investigate the social determinants of health that drive them.

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With a broad scope, some of Stretton Health Equity's key projects include:

Restoring the fair go

We seek to produce compelling evidence so that policy makers will see the value of adopting new policies to reduce inequality in the context of rebuilding post COVID-19. The project provides a detailed assessment on the pattern of inequities, policies and practices driving inequities and determine those likely to reverse it. The research will engage policymakers and citizens in co-developing these strategies.

Centre of Research Excellence on markets and health

This CRE is a collaboration with the Australian National University and the University of Queensland. It seeks to identify ways to mitigate negative impacts on social equity and health from commercial practices. We will identify policy, regulatory, business, and civil society initiatives likely to enhance positive and reduce negative health impacts.

Decolonising practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care

This project seeks to understand and establish an evidence base for decolonising practice in primary health care to address the negative health effects of ongoing colonisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Punching Above their Weight network

The Punching Above their Weight (PAW) research network was formed to advance thinking and research about why some countries achieve much better or much worse life expectancy outcomes than would be predicted by their economic status.

History of community health in Australia

This project aims to complete a comprehensive history of the development of community health centres and services in Australia, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. It is intended to be significant in showing how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women's, workers' and other social movements interacted with social and political institutions in crafting the variety of community health services now existing in Australia.

Work and unemployment

Vital to effective suicide prevention: This project takes a social determinants approach to suicide prevention, emphasising how economic conditions, employment, poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination all affect suicide rates in Australia.

How can local health networks and districts cultivate anti-racist hospitals

This project aims to reform the development and delivery of hospital care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by addressing implicit bias and institutional racism within Australian hospitals.

Food systems and the social and commercial determinants of health and health equity

This research is examining how public policies relating to Australian agriculture, environment and food processing, manufacturing and marketing can support a healthier, more sustainable and more equitable food system.

We also have previously conducted research on topics such as priority populations in mental health and suicide prevention, food security in Australia, urban planning and health, and health equity impact assessment tools.

Examples of our reports, policy briefs and other collateral are available upon request.

Our impactful research into health equity directly informs practice and policy in Australia and internationally. Listed below are two project examples demonstrating our impact.

The Stretton Health Equity Policy Lab

The Stretton Health Equity Policy Lab translates our impactful research into policy briefs, practical summaries of key findings, and solutions that inform policy and practice, improve outcomes and benefit the wider health community both in Australia and internationally.

Some recent areas we’ve delivered policy briefs, reports and impact into include but are not limited to:

Commercial determinants of health during COVID-19: reviewing policy implications from our research on the influence of commercial determinants of health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with proposals for the health system, as well as other sectors and whole of government approaches to ensure we are in the strongest position possible to respond to future pandemics. 
Lessons drawn from a history of community health services: drawing out lessons for contemporary Australian health policy from the vibrant history of community health in Australia, with a particular focus on the community health services established out of the 1973 National Community Health Program. 
Social determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health: summarising the findings from the Centre for Research Excellence on Social Determinants of Health Equity related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, arguing for the need for policy action on the social and cultural determinants of Indigenous health. 
Intersectoral collaboration models to address social determinants of health: summarising global evidence for models of intersectoral collaborations to address social determinants of health and health equity and build healthy public policy.

We offer a long history of producing policy briefs across a variety of health areas.

Examples of policy briefs are available upon request.

Decolonising practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care

Led by both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous researchers, this 2018 – 2024 project partnered with five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care services around Australia to understand and establish an evidence base for decolonising practice in primary health care to address the negative health effects of ongoing colonisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our key output from this project includes a knowledge sharing report Decolonise Now: Community-led Pathways to Decolonising Practice in Health to summarise our findings with the help of Croakey Health Media, with journalist Jade Bradford, a proud descendant of the Ballardong Noongar People, and artist Jarnda Bina Councillor-Barns, a Karrajarri, Nuggaja, Noongar, Maori woman from Boorloo (Perth).

Other outputs include a short film made in collaboration with The Story Catchers to share the key ideas and importance of decolonising practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary health care, collaborative community workshops, an editable framework as an adaptable resource for other health services, and a variety of media collateral including posters and social media tiles for sharing.

All outputs and resources from this project are available upon request.

Our team unites leading researchers and experts from across Adelaide University, working collaboratively to address pressing policy challenges. Together, we generate evidence-based insights that inform decision-making, influence policy and create meaningful impact for communities.

Professor Fran Baum AO

Centre Director
Email: fran.baum@adelaide.edu.au

Our team

Associate Professor Toby Freeman – Director of Research
Dr Connie Musolino – Director of Research Engagement
Dr Julia Anaf
Dr Matt Fisher
Dr Joanne Flavel
Ms Kristen Foley
Ms Sue Gibbons
Ms Sharna Pearce
Dr Miriam van den Berg
Associate Professor Samantha Battams – Adjunct
Associate Professor Emma Miller – Adjunct
Dr Helen van Eyk - Adjunct

Stretton Health Equity at Adelaide University collaborates with several key partners to enhance our research initiatives.

We work alongside partners within the university across different research teams, other education partners across the country, local and federal government agencies, civil society organisations, and health service partners across the country to ensure co-designed outputs delivering real-world impact.

To meet our far-reaching scope, we work with individual subject-matter-group partners for specific research topics and areas. Examples include working with Anti-Poverty Network SA and the Australian Unemployed Workers Union for research into the health impacts of unemployment, and the National Mental Health Commission and Preventative Health SA for projects into wellbeing and mental health.

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Stretton Health Equity

Location
Stretton Health Equity
Adelaide University
Napier Building, City Campus East, Adelaide SA 5000

Email: strettonhealth@adelaide.edu.au