Lifestyle puts us in good nick

CENSUS HEALTH REPORT SHOWS GOLD COAST IN GOOD SHAPE UP AGAINST THE REST OF NATION

THE Gold Coast is behind the nation in numbers when it comes to rates of heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and mental health conditions, new Census data has revealed.

The 2021 Census marks the first time the survey has collected information on diagnosed, ongoing health conditions.

Of the Gold Coast’s 625,087-strong population, 51,969 (8.3%) have arthritis, compared to 8.5 per cent of the national population and 8.8 per cent of Queensland residents.

A further 48,042 (7.7%) have asthma, 11,806 (1.9%) have some form of lung condition and 19,564 (3.1%) have cancer or are in remission.

A total of 5782 (0.9%) have suffered a stroke, 23,407 (3.7%) have heart disease, 5369 (0.9%) have kidney disease and 5073 (0.8%) have dementia. 52,405 (8.4%) have some form of mental health condition, including depression or anxiety. 48,735 (7.8%) have another unspecified long-term health condition.

377,707 (60.4%) residents said they had no long-term health conditions and 55,054 (8.8%) did not respond.

Elanora pharmacist and diabetes expert Craig Carson told the Bulletin: “The census shows that 22,000 of Gold Coast residents have diabetes which is lower than the Australian average possibly due to a more active, outside lifestyle due to climate.

“While this number is still lower than the average, most individuals have type 2 diabetes which can often be prevented hence why it is extremely important, as our population ages, that as health professionals we are actively promoting a lifestyle that may prevent people developing type 2 diabetes.”

Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen said: “This is critical data to inform planning and service delivery decisions about how treatment and care is provided for all Australians.

“Census data will help provide a more detailed picture of Australians’ health.

“Census data complements existing ABS health surveys by providing additional insights about the communities that require services to support complex health needs.”

Responders were able to choose multiple long-term health conditions, meaning the sum of all responses won’t equal the total number of residents in any area.

On the Gold Coast, 51,891 people (8.3 per cent of the population) reported having two or more long-term health conditions.

WHILE THIS NUMBER IS STILL LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE, MOST INDIVIDUALS HAVE TYPE 2 DIABETES WHICH CAN OFTEN BE PREVENTED DIABETES EXPERT CRAIG CARSON

SURFERS PARADISE

Of the 26,412 residents living in the heart of the Glitter Strip, 2014 (7.6%) have arthritis, 1532 (5.8%) have asthma, 433 (1.6%) have some form of lung condition and 887 (3.4%) have cancer or are in remission.

A further 245 (0.9%) have suffered a stroke, 992 (3.8%) have heart disease, 192 (0.7%) have kidney disease and 105 (0.4%) have dementia. 1864 (7.1%) have some form of mental health condition, including depression or anxiety. 1631 (6.2%) have another unspecified long-term health condition.

15,409 (58.3%) residents said that they had no long-term health conditions and 3968 (15%) did not respond to the survey.

CURRUMBIN/TUGUN

The Currumbin to Tugun area houses 12,339 residents, of whom 1009 (8.2%) have arthritis, 879 (7.1%) asthma, 199 (1.6%) some form of lung condition and 392 (3.2%) have cancer or are in remission. A total 117 (0.9%) have suffered a stroke, 476 (3.9%) have heart disease, 86 (0.7%) kidney disease and 125 (1%) have dementia. 956 (7.7%) have some form of mental health condition. 891 (7.2%) have another unspecified long-term condition. 7615 (61.7%) residents said they had no long-term conditions and 1149 (9.3%) did not respond.

BURLEIGH HEADS

Burleigh Heads is home to some of the city’s most popular venues and 9176 residents. Of them, 750 (8.2%) have arthritis, 626 (6.8%) asthma, 179 (2%) some form of lung condition and 340 (3.7%) have cancer or are in remission. A further 92 (1%) have suffered a stroke, 354 (3.9%) have heart disease, 80 (0.9%) kidney disease and 48 (0.5%) have dementia. 688 (7.5%) have some form of mental health condition. 562 (6.1%) have another unspecified longterm condition. 5305 (57.8%) residents said they had no long-term conditions and 1183 (12.9%) did not respond.