Table 1.
Characteristics of a hypothetical rural community
| Demographics | Medical and other services | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,000 | No. of general practitioners (full-time) | 14 |
| Females: Males | 1:1 | No of GP practices | 3 |
| Proportion young persons (15-24 yrs) | 13% | No. of drug and alcohol workers (full-time) | 1 |
| Proportion Indigenous Australians | 5% | No. of hospitals (with 24 hr Emergency Department) | 1 |
| Distance to nearest large centre (more than 20,000 population) | 170 km | No. of community pharmacies | 2 |
| Distance to nearest urban centre (more than 100,000 population) | 400 km | Total no. of full time police & (no. of full time police on Highway Patrol) | 14 (3) |
| Average annual wage/salary (Before tax) | $30,000 | No. of high schools | 3 |
| Unemployment rate | 8% | No. of licensed premises | 10 |
| Crime and Health Statistics | Community average | State average | |
| Assaults per 100,000 population | 1100 | 1050 | |
| Sexual assaults per 100,000 population | 90 | 60 | |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs per 100,000 population | 27 | 15.5 | |
| Proportion of population who attended an emergency department in last 12 months | 20% | 13.5% | |
| Proportion of population who have had a heavy drinking day in the last 12 months | 40% | 35% | |