Cutting-edge primary health research: How our work follows world events

Abstract

Recent world events have reinforced the fundamental importance of inclusion, safety, diversity and human rights. It is therefore not surprising that the flavour of contemporary research follows this relevant path. This issue presents cutting-edge research that demonstrates how researchers in Australia and other countries are working hard to overcome barriers that prevent ‘health for all’. We see special attention paid to health care access through Yang and Wang’s exploration of health worker shortages in rural China (Yang and Wang 2019) and Bellamy et al.’s interviews with refugees who are unable to access necessary medicines after settling in Australia (Bellamy et al. 2019). Le identified a similar pharmaceutical access issue by studying opioid substitution treatment (Le 2019) and Thornton et al. has explored why children in statutory care face additional barriers when accessing scheduled immunisations (Thornton et al. 2019). These studies demonstrate the ongoing work that is needed to ensure all people have access to timely and appropriate care to maintain good health.