Fran Baum

Fran Baum is an Australian social scientist who conducts research on the social and economic influences and determinants of health. She is director of the Southgate Institute of Health, Society and Equity at Flinders University, Australia, and became an Officer of the Order of Australia for her advocacy work on "improved access to community health care, and to professional organisations".

Career Baum works on links between poor health and social inequality. Her research on health policy and budget issues has been described numerous times in The Conversation. Baum has also given talks on panels as well as for the media, on issues including fair taxation, and health as well as links between poverty and poor health.

Baum has spoken on a panels on de-industrialisation, plus the global social challenges which de-industrialisation brings. Her discussion focused around how, issues in various countries, such as communities struggling to adjust and adapt to de-industrialisation. "Now car manufacturing has ceased in South Australia, some have applied the 'rustbelt' epithet to the state. But the social and economic challenges it faces are part of a global phenomenon. How do you assist communities facing joblessness, the demise of old industries, as well as intergenerational disadvantage?".

Baum's research crosses both social and economic inequities and focuses on the resultant impacts on people's and community health.

Baum became an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours. Her award was for being "an advocate for improved access to community health care, and to professional organisations".

Selected publications

Baum, F.E., Graycar, A. and Delany-Crowe, T.N. (2016). Understanding Australian Policies on Public Health. Canberra: The Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Baum, F.E., Newman, L.A., Biedrzycki, K.R. and Patterson, J. (2010). Can a regional government's social inclusion initiative contribute to the quest for health equity? Health Promotion International. Newman, L.A., Biedrzycki, K.R. and Baum, F.E. (2010). Digital technology access and use among socially and economically disadvantaged groups in South Australia. Journal of Community Informatics, 6(2).

Books

Awards, honours and recognition 2017 – Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) 2016 – Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 2008 – Australian Research Council Federation Fellow 2006 – Fellow, Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia 1989 – Catherine Helen Spence Memorial Scholarship