Health inequalities research
VicHealth invests in research to improve understanding and develop programs to reduce health inequalities.
VicHealth health inequalities research focuses on the social determinants of health – factors that have a large impact on people’s health, but which individuals have little control over.
Research forms the basis of our programs, guiding the development and implementation of initiatives to improve the health of Victorians. Each of our programs is evaluated, which in turn strengthens the evidence base.
Research centres
VicHealth provides ongoing support for the development of the McCaughey Centre at the University of Melbourne. The centre creates and shares knowledge about the social, economic and environmental determinants of community wellbeing and mental health. The centre also hosts Community Indicators Victoria, which supports the development and use of local community wellbeing indicators.
Research fellows
VicHealth is currently funding two research fellows focusing on health inequalities. Dr Elise Davis is investigating the promotion of the mental health of children living in low-income families. Dr Deb Warr (University of Melbourne) is researching pathways to inclusion.
Visit our research fellows page for further information.
ARC linkage grant recipients
VicHealth offers ARC linkage partnership grants for projects that are aligned to VicHealth’s Strategic Framework 2009–13.
VicHealth is partnering a number of ARC projects focusing on health inequalities.
Professor Anne Kavanagh (University of Melbourne)
Gender, socioeconomic disadvantage and disability
This project uses existing cross-sectional and longitudinal data sets to explore how socioeconomic disadvantage intersects with, and shapes, the health of people with disabilities. It has a particular focus on the roles of housing and work.
Dr Rebecca Bentley (University of Melbourne)
Housing and employment
The project aims to examine how housing and health intersect, especially for social groups that are most at risk of residing in unaffordable and inadequate housing in Australia.
Dr Mike Salvaris (RMIT University)
Human rights and health
This project aims to produce an indication of community attitudes, values and levels of support for policy and program development for tackling health inequalities.
Dr Amaryll Perlesz (La Trobe University)
Resilience in children of same-sex parents
This longitudinal research will investigate the health, wellbeing and resilience of children in families of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or inter-sex parents in Australia and New Zealand. The study will examine the factors that support community connectedness among these parents and their families.