General News
20 March, 2023
WWHS to address concerning statistics
Community gardens, a Chinese exercise program, outdoor biking and monthly cafe groups are some of the activities underway as West Wimmera Health Service plans to improve health and wellbeing. The activities will help counter the health study...
Community gardens, a Chinese exercise program, outdoor biking and monthly cafe groups are some of the activities underway as West Wimmera Health Service plans to improve health and wellbeing.
The activities will help counter the health study findings - revealed earlier this month in The Warracknabeal Herald - which uncovered a litany of disturbing statistics.
WWHS teamed up with La Trobe university to create health and wellbeing profiles for each of the service's nine towns across the Wimmera.
The surveys found each town underperformed across numerous health and wellbeing categories, compared with statewide markers.
For example, almost one in 10 Minyip residents live with three or more chronic diseases, and a similar proportion live with heart disease - both figures close to three times the state average
WWHS hopes to reverse the trend of deteriorating health outcomes with a few simple lifestyle changes.
Service health promotion team leader Dorothy McLaren said healthy eating, active living and social connection would become priorities.
Ms McLaren said WWHS community health and wellbeing grants were available to people in the nine centres.
"They are designed to assist motivated and energetic local citizens wanting to improve health and wellbeing in their own community," she said.
Programs supported include community gardens in Natimuk, Rupanyup and Rainbow, Qigong sessions in Kaniva, outdoor biking at Rainbow, and an all-ages health and wellbeing expo in Kaniva.
There was also a project to increase use of Murtoa's pool, a Tune-up for Farmers session and creative workshops at Nhill community gallery.
"Cafe Health, a monthly coffee session where health issues are discussed differently, has made a positive change to people and their communities," Ms McLaren said.
A 3in1 Towards a Healthy Town program allowed an opportunity for people to become more active and to walk or undertake a gentle exercise session as well as receive healthy-eating information while connecting with others.
Grow Local, Eat Local aims to encourage people to eat locally-grown food more often. It started as a contest judged by celebrity chef Tim Bone, won by Nicole Miller with a chickpea burger recipe.
WWHS towns are Natimuk, Goroke, Kaniva, Nhill, Jeparit, Rainbow, Minyip, Rupanyup and Murtoa.