Our research & impact

UNSW Business School students discuss their studies

Research for impact 

Our focus at the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) is health equity and primary health care. But we also link to other parts of the health system such as hospital care, the community sector and the other non-health sectors that are essential for effective primary health care and tackling health inequalities. 

We also remain actively engaged in building capacity for research in primary care—for example, we provide research skills training and mentoring for primary health care practitioners and organisations. 

At CPHCE, we believe the organisation and management of health services is critical for effective clinical care and health improvement programs. These must reflect the needs of communities and the barriers they face in maintaining good health. Our projects address policy, practice and infrastructure development. 

Capacity building

CPHCE offers capacity building programs to support the implementation of policy into practice. Discover more about our programs and research exchange.

Collaborations

CPHCE builds research and development collaborations jointly with South Western, South Eastern and Sydney Local Health Districts. We also have a close collaboration with the Centre for Health Equity, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE).

Projects

Our projects address policy, practice and infrastructure development. View our extensive project list here.

Our research streams

The Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) has five streams of research, each with several program areas. 

Undertaking national, state and local research projects enables us to address large system issues with an impact at a community level.

Action for equity

This stream focuses on the development and implementation of interventions that address health inequalities.

Health environment

Across the world, the environment we live in, where we create our health, is challenged. This stream focuses on the health and equity impacts of urban sprawl, infrastructure development, walkable access, greenspace, active transport, as well as healthcare facility and precinct design.

Health system integration and primary health care development

This stream focuses on the role of primary health care in improving health and social care integration. Integration is approached at several levels and perspectives with the ultimate objectives of improving health and wellbeing, service user experience and system efficiency/effectiveness.

Informatics and eHealth

This stream addresses the need for up-to-date information, as well as knowledge management and exchange, in the diagnosis and management of chronic illness and—increasingly—co-existing multiple systems morbidity.

Prevention and management of long-term conditions

This stream is a response to the challenge of long-term conditions to health and health care services. These conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease, cancer and mental illness. They commonly occur as multi-morbidities.