An interactive snapshot of the Mid-Western, has highlighted major health concerns in the region.
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The Health Trackers map, released by the Australian Health Policy Collaboration reveals that your postcode can affect your portliness, propensity for a drink, potential for health problems, and even your blood pressure.
Broadly, it reveals health snapshots such as snippets that Australia’s wealthiest postcodes are the healthiest postcodes. Drill down into the figures and you find rates of high blood pressure, risk of chronic diseases and data on smoking, alcohol intake and obesity.
Waistlines in the Mid-Western region look like this: 31.6 per cent of all adults, male and female, over 18 years of age are obese. 66.9 per cent are overweight.
71.6 per cent of males and 61.7 per cent of females are classified as overweight or obese.
An adult is considered overweight or obese if their body mass index is 25 or more.
33.5 per cent of adults have high cholesterol, 20.8 per cent smoke and 24.4 per cent have high blood pressure.
The national average for heavy drinking is 18.2 per cent of all adults, the Mid-Western region recorded 20.1 per cent.
Byron Bay is the nation's binge drinking capital, Hobart has the highest percentage of smokers and WA's Pinjarra is the most overweight postcode.
Australian Health Policy Collaboration director Rosemary Calder said the aim of tracking localised data was to use it to reduce the alarming rates of chronic diseases.
“One in every two Australians has a chronic disease, however roughly one third are preventable,” said Ms Calder.
“Australia’s Health Tracker by Area is a resource to help protect the most important asset, our health.”