General News
10 March, 2023
Study can help tackle dilemma
Wimmera folk are generally happy where they live - but their health and wellbeing leaves much to be desired, according to results of a regionwide study revealed on Friday. Conducted by West Wimmera Health Service in tandem with La Trobe University's...
Wimmera folk are generally happy where they live - but their health and wellbeing leaves much to be desired, according to results of a regionwide study revealed on Friday.
Conducted by West Wimmera Health Service in tandem with La Trobe University's John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research Studies, statistics gleaned from locals in nine towns across four Wimmera municipalities paint a bleak chronic-health picture for residents.
While people generally believe they have a better lifestyle than most statewide, detailed figures reveal other factors are at play which reduce life expectancy.
Chronic health issues include the rates of cancer, diabetes, respiratory issues, heart disease, back problems, kidney disease, asthma incidence, arthritis, mental health and dementia as well as domestic violence rates.
Age is also a commanding factor across all nine towns - Nhill, Kaniva, Rupanyup, Natimuk, Goroke, Rainbow, Minyip, Kaniva and Jeparit - in the municipalities of Horsham Rural City, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and West Wimmera.
Each has a median age of between 47 and 57 years, compared with the statewide average of 38.
WWHS CEO Ritchie Dodds told the study launch in Nhill it was alarming that rates of chronic health were higher than the state average.
Surveys would continue annually and work would be undertaken in an attempt to reduce these statistics.
"People are happier with their lives here," he said, "but suffering more."
He said information was gathered in numerous ways, including talking to people in cafes through a 3in1 Towards a Healthy Town program, and via WWHS community health grants program.
Dr Sean MacDermott of La Trobe University said the study would have far-reaching effect.
"They will result in practical solutions for real-world problems," he said.
Dr MacDermott's area of expertise is rural-regional health in ageing, end-of-life planning, palliative care, the health workforce and telehealth.
He has post-graduate qualifications and expertise in health, social science, research and change management.
Kayla Royals of La Trobe University in Bendigo told the launch the statistics gathered were from sources including the Australian Bureau of Statics, the Australian Government, Victorian Agency of Health Information, oral health profiles and crime statistics.
She said people were also asked their definition of a healthy community and issues they believed could be improved.