Equity and geography: the case of child mortality in Papua New Guinea.

Background: Recent assessments show continued decline in child mortality in Papua New Guinea (PNG), yet complete subnational analyses remain rare. This study aims to estimate under-five mortality in PNG at national and subnational levels to examine the importance of geographical inequities in health outcomes and track progress towards Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4.

Methodology: We performed retrospective data validation of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2006 using 2000 Census data, then applied advanced indirect methods to estimate under-five mortality rates between 1976 and 2000.

Influence of living arrangements on health services utilisation in Australia.

Background: The number of people living alone is increasing markedly. Others live as couples only, couples with child(ren) and single adult with child(ren). Health service utilisation could differ for people in different living arrangements as a result of varying levels of risk factors, health status, access to informal care and decision-making for accessing care.