her paces yesterday at F45 Mount Gambier. The Limestone Coast community
is being urged to get active in the wake of new national data which reveals coronary heart disease is the Blue Lake city’s biggest killer. Picture: KATIE JACKSON
CORONARY heart disease, dementia, stroke and cancer are the biggest killers of Mount Gambier residents, according to a new national health snapshot.
The report – compiled by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – revealed these four diseases were among the leading cause of deaths in the Blue Lake city over a five year period.
Other diseases or conditions in the top 10 included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colorectal cancer, diabetes, heart failure and complications as well as prostate cancer.
Sadly, suicide was also among the top 10 causes of death in Mount Gambier.
Heart Foundation acting national chief executive officer Imelda Lynch warned Mount Gambier residents needed to get active to protect their heart and prevent premature death.
She said there were pockets in South Australia that had worse rates of heart disease than the national average.
“Mount Gambier fits that bill. Figures show 73pc of people do not undertake the minimum physical activity of 30 minutes at least five days per week in this city,” Ms Lynch said.
“Walking is the cheapest way to do that – just pop on a pair of shoes and walk.”
She said there was “no question” people’s health in Mount Gambier would improve if they exercised regularly.
Research shows if people exercised an extra 15 minutes per day over five days the burden of disease would reduce by 14pc.
This figure jumped to 26pc if people increased their exercise by 30 minutes, which Ms Lynch described as “huge” improvement.
She contributed sedentary lifestyles, including sitting at work and watching screens, as contributing to the problem.
Ms Lynch said Mount Gambier also had high rates of people deemed as being overweight or obese.
The heart health advocate also called on Mount Gambier City Council to ensure there were adequate footpaths, bicycle trails and open green spaces to encourage recreational walking.
The new data also revealed breast cancer, influenza, liver disease, accidental falls and road accidents were also among the 20 causes of deaths in Mount Gambier.
While the report found overall health of the nation’s population improved substantially, further gains could be achieved by reducing lifestyle-related risk factors.
The major risk factors were tobacco use, overweight and obesity, dietary risks, high blood pressure and high blood plasma glucose, including diabetes.
“In 2015, Australians collectively lost 4.8 million years of healthy life due to living with or dying prematurely from disease and injury,” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare spokesperson Mr Richard Juckes said.
“The disease groups causing the most burden in 2015 were cancer, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, mental and substance use disorders and injuries.”
New data – also released by the institute – showed coronary heart disease is also the number one cause of death for women in Mount Gambier, which is also reflected in a nation-wide trend.
“In 2016, more than 22,200 women died of cardiovascular disease – making it the most deadly disease group for women,” institute spokesperson Miriam Lum On said.
Cardiovascular disease – which includes coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure – is a largely preventable and treatable group of conditions.
“Cardiovascular disease is often seen as an issue predominantly affecting men, but there is increasing recognition that aspects of its prevention, treatment and management are unique to women,” Ms Lum On said.
