Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit emergency departments, but new research shows that where you live and your financial situation can make a big difference to how often that happens.
A recent study published in Emergency Medicine Australia looked at emergency department presentations for low back pain across New South Wales between 2013 and 2019. The findings show that presentations are increasing year on year, and they’re rising faster in rural areas than in cities.
UCRH’s Associate Professor Chris Williams is one of the authors of the study, joining colleagues from the University of NSW, University of Sydney and the Northern NSW and Mid North Coast Health Districts.
The research also found that people living in areas with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to present to emergency departments with low back pain, regardless of whether they live in metropolitan or rural communities. In fact, rural areas had higher rates of presentation across all income levels.
This matters because it highlights how social and geographic factors can influence health outcomes. Understanding these patterns helps us identify where support is most needed and how we can better respond to the challenges faced by rural communities.
The study calls for further research into the reasons behind these trends, so we can develop strategies that reduce the burden of low back pain and improve access to care, no matter where people live.
