As young people congregate in Byron Bay for ‘schoolies’, new research shows that a greater percentage of the town’s permanent 15years+ population consumes alcohol at risky levels than any other place in Australia.
Moreover, the east coast location regarded as a mecca for healthy practices has been found to have more adult smokers than the national average, and at 59.7% a level of overweight and obesity close to the alarming national average of 62.8%.
More concerning is that the rates of overweight and obese people in Casino (69.4%), and Ballina and Lismore (both 65.2%) were found to be even higher.
The statistics are among those released this week in the Australian Health Policy Collaboration’s Australia’s Health Tracker .
The comprehensive online resource presents report cards on key indicators relating to chronic diseases and risk factors in the Australian population. The intention of the
Collaboration, based at Victoria University, Melbourne is to issue regular report cards as part of a tracking progress towards achieving a healthier Australia by 2025.
The detailed data is easily accessed and can be viewed by population health, Primary Health Network or local government areas. Regional, statewide and national averages are listed for various risk factors and chronic diseases.
Findings for the Northern Rivers include -
Overweight and obesity, 18 years+ (national average 62.8%)
Ballina - 65.2%
Byron Bay - 59.7%
Casino - 69.4%
Lismore - 65.2%
Smoking 18 years+ (national average 18.0%)
Ballina - 22.3%
Byron Bay - 20.2%
Casino - 25.1%
Lismore - 23.1%
High blood cholesterol 18 years+ (national average 32.8%)
Ballina - 32.5%
Byron Bay - 31.6%
Casino - 31.8%
Lismore - 31.5%
High blood pressure 18 years+ (national average 23.1%)
Ballina - 17.9%
Byron Bay - 19.4%
Casino - 27.1%
Lismore - 20.2%
Other data presented includes bowel cancer screening rates and results, diabetes rates, and information on the major causes of deaths, including suicide.
