Media Release 10 Sep 2007

We eat our fruit but not our vegies!

Population Statistics and social trends are always an interesting way to compare the society in which we live. Sydney’s Northern residents have faired very well in a recent report put out by NSW Health comparing our health and social behaviours to other areas in the state in the New South Wales Population Health Survey.

The area reports aim to assist area health services to monitor the health status of their population and to support policy development and service planning.

Some interesting findings have arisen from the comparison and showed how the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service compared with other area health services in NSW.

The indicators in the 2006 Area Health Service Reports include health behaviours, health status and health services.

So how did we in Northern Sydney Central Coast Health compare to the rest of NSW?

Health Behaviours:

• Risk Alcohol Drinking
A lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service engaged in risk alcohol drinking compared with the Greater Southern, North Coast, Greater Western Area Health Services, however this was a higher proportion compared with Sydney South West, South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra, Sydney West and Hunter & New England Area Health Services.

• High Risk Alcohol Drinking
A lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service engaged in high risk alcohol drinking compared with most other NSW Area Health Services, however was of a slightly higher proportion than Sydney West and Hunter & New England Area Health Services.

• Adequate Fruit Intake
Compared with the overall adult population in NSW and all other Area Health Services, the highest proportion of adults consuming the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit each day were from the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service.

• Adequate Vegetable Intake
The proportion of adults consuming the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables each day was among the lowest in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast, Sydney West and Sydney South West Area Health Services.

• Adequate Physical Activity
Compared with the overall adult population, a higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service, and a lower proportion of adults in the Sydney West Area Health Service, undertook adequate levels of physical activity.

• Overweight and Obesity
A lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service, and a higher proportion of adults in the Sydney West and Greater Western Area Health Services, were overweight or obese.

• Current Smoking Status
Compared with the overall adult population, a higher proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service, and lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service were current smokers.

• Smoke-free Households
Compared with the overall adult population, a higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service, and a lower proportion of adults in the Greater Western and Sydney South West Area Health Services, lived in smoke-free homes.

• Cervical Screening
The female adult population in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service were among the highest proportions for having a Pap test in the last 2 years and were above the overall adult population average for NSW.

• Breast Screening
The proportion of females aged 50-69 years having a screening mammogram (other than for a breast problem or breast cancer) in the last 2 years did not vary significantly among area health services, however the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service had a slightly higher proportion of females having a screening mammogram, compared with the NSW overall average.

• Influenza Immunisation
The Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service had the highest proportion of persons aged 65 years and over to be vaccinated against influenza.

• Injury Prevention (Smoke Alarms)
A higher proportion of adults in the Hunter and New England and Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Services, and a lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service, had a smoke alarm in the home.

Health Status:

• Self-rated Health Status
Compared with the overall population, a higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service rated their health as excellent, very good, or good.

• Oral Health (all natural teeth missing)
A lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service had all their teeth missing.

• Psychological Distress
Compared with the overall adult population, a lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service had high or very high levels of psychological distress.

Health Services:

• Public Dental Care Rating
Adults in the Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service were more likely to rate their care as excellent, very good, or good.

Media Contact: Penelope Little 9926 7199 / 0413 025 742

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