HEALTH REPORT
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE prevention of smoking, obesity and diabetes have been identified as key health priorities for the central west, in a report recently released by the Western NSW Local Health District (NSW LHD).
The Western NSW Health Needs Assessment 2013 (HNA), a collaborative effort with Western NSW Medicare Local, assessed the health and well-being of the region.
Western NSW LHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the assessment was an important analysis of health in Western NSW.
“This is a crucial snapshot of the people living in Western NSW and what health problems we are facing as a community,” he said.
Other priority areas outlined in the report included nutrition and physical activity intervention, mental health, early child care and Aboriginal health.
The report also highlighted the impact that remoteness has on the health of a population, with outcomes worsening as one moves from Bathurst through to the North West and remote regions.
“Remoteness has a huge impact on the health of a population, the further out you go, the higher the rates of chronic disease, obesity, diabetes etc.,” Mr McLachlan said.
“If you overlay this with an Aboriginal background, it gets even worse, with a life expectancy gap of up to 17 years.”
Mr McLachlan said the HNA was an important tool for the Local Health District to see where they needed to channel resources, to improve the health of the population.
“Some things have been done the same way for years and years, this will show us what we need to different.
“We will look at the evidence and tailor health services to specific regions from Bathurst through to Bourke (and) determine which different services need to be provided where.”
The findings from the HNA will go into the formation of a Strategic Health Services Plan to provide the framework and direction for Western NSW LHD operations during the next three years.
A report into the findings is due to be released in July.
“The plan will include an outcomes framework that will allow us to measure our progress in improving people’s health across our key health and wellbeing priorities. Assessment of the community’s health needs is a critical foundation for ensuring our services are responsive and relevant,” Mr McLachlan said.
In compiling the report the Western NSW LHD will speak with community groups to determine what health services are available and their level of access.
