THE majority of district residents generally feel safe, but rates of chronic disease across the community still remain high.
The latest VicHealth data shows Gannawarra has an overall health and well-being score of 80.3 out of 100 which is above the State average of 77.3.
The VicHealth Indicators Survey is a major population survey conducted every four years to measure a range of factors which impact on individual and community well-being.
Selected findings for Gannawarra include:
• Most Gannawarra residents (96.3 per cent) agreed they felt safe walking alone during the day, which is similar to the Victorian estimate of 92.5 per cent.
• Just over eight out of 10 (83.4 per cent) of residents felt they live in a close-knit neighbourhood, significantly more than the Victorian estimate of 61 per cent.
• Gannawarra residents reported eating an average of 2.4 serves of vegetables per day which is similar to the Victorian average of 2.2.
• Three in ten (30.2 per cent) of Gannawarra residents were identified as being at risk of short-term harm from alcohol in a given month. This is similar to the Victorian estimate of 29.4 per cent.
Gannawarra Shire Council community health manager, Narelle O’Donoghue said that the survey highlights that residents generally feel safe and that our communities support each other.
“Over 80 per cent reported that they felt they live in a close-knit community, that people could be trusted and were willing to help each other. These are all positive indicators of well-being,” she said.
“Rates of chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity however remain high at Gannawarra and the survey results demonstrate that there continues to be low uptake of health protective behaviours such as physical activity and consumption of vegetables, and high rates of personal behaviours, like smoking and alcohol consumption, that can lead to poor health outcomes.”
Vegetable consumption continues to be low at 2.2 serves per day. The recommended number of serves of vegetables each day is five.
“Council continues to work in partnership with local health services focusing on the local community health priorities areas of physical activity, healthy eating, oral health, mental health and well-being and chronic disease management and prevention,” Mrs O’Donoghue said.
