Geelong Health Profile
Contents
Introduction 6
Healthy safe and inclusive communities 8
Summary 8
Personal health and wellbeing 9
Self reported health 9
Subjective wellbeing 9
Life expectancy 10
Adequate physical exercise 10
Fruit consumption 11
Vegetable consumption 11
Obesity 12
Smoking status 12
Risky alcohol consumption 12
Psychological distress 13
Prevalence of Type 2 diabetes 13
Gambling 14
Community connectedness 14
Feeling part of the community 14
Social support 15
Volunteering 15
Parental participation in schools 15
Early Childhood 15
Australian Early Development Index 15
Child health assessments 16
Immunisation 17
Breastfeeding 17
Personal and community safety 18
Perceptions of safety 18
Crime 19
Family violence 20
Road safety 20
Workplace safety 21
Lifelong learning 21
Home internet access 21
Apprenticeship and vocational training enrolments 22
Destinations of school leavers 23
School retention 24
Access to government schools 25
Service availability 25
Access to services 25
Dynamic resilient local economies 27
Summary 27
Economic activity 27
Retained retail spending 27
Highly skilled workforce 28
Business growth 28
Skills 29
Educational qualifications 29
Employment 29
Employment rate 29
Unemployment 30
Local employment 31
Work-life balance 32
Adequate work life balance 32
Income and wealth 33
Income 33
Distribution of income 33
Per capita wealth 34
Food security 34
Culturally rich and vibrant communities 35
Summary 35
Arts and Cultural Activities 35
Opportunities to participate in arts and cultural activities 35
Participation in arts and cultural activities 36
Leisure and recreation 36
Opportunities to participate in sporting and recreation activities 36
Participation in sporting and recreational activities 37
Cultural diversity 37
Community acceptance of diverse cultures 37
Sustainable built and natural environments 38
Summary 38
Transport accessibility 38
Transport limitations 38
Public transport patronage 39
Dedicated walking and cycling trails 40
Practical non car opportunities 41
Roads and footpaths 41
Access to public transport 42
School walkability 42
Housing 43
Housing and affordability 43
Sustainable energy use 44
Greenhouse gas emissions 44
Household electricity use 45
Household gas use 45
Renewable energy use 45
Water 45
Condition of natural streams and waterways 45
Water consumption 46
Waste water recycling 46
Open Space 46
Access to areas of public open space 46
Appearance of public space 49
Air Quality 49
Air quality 49
Biodiversity 49
Native vegetation cover 49
Carbon sequestration 50
Weeds and pests 50
Waste Management 50
Household waste generation 50
Household waste recycling 50
Democratic and engaged communities 52
Summary 52
Citizen engagement 52
Opportunity to have a say on important issues 52
Participation in citizen engagement 52
Female local councillors 53
Opportunity to vote for a trustworthy political candidate 53
Membership of local community organisations and decision making bodies 54
References 55
Introduction
The Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) Data Framework March 2013[1] is a comprehensive framework of indicators, and has been used to inform the City of Greater Geelong’s Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017: Health Profile.
The Health Profile has been populated using data compiled and presented by the CIV. Where CIV indicators are still ‘under development’, and data not provided at the LGA level, efforts have been made to source other reputable and repeatable data sources.
Community Indicators Victoria (CIV) Data Framework:
The framework, a sustainable state-wide system of local community wellbeing indicators, enables a consistent approach to measuring health and wellbeing. The framework was commissioned by VicHealth in 2005-06, and was determined by the Victorian Community Indicators Project (VCIP). CIV is the operationalisation of the VCIP.
The framework provides indicator measures for five major domains of community wellbeing:
1. Healthy, safe and inclusive communities
A vibrant, resilient and sustainable community recognises the efforts of its volunteers and seeks equality for its citizens. Its members are physically and mentally healthy, have a sense of wellbeing, are connected to others and have access to a range of services. It is a community that nurtures its children and young people and embraces learning. Attributes such as meaningful work – be it paid or unpaid – or spending more time with the family are important to such a society. The social dimension reinforces the desire to have a society built on mutual respect, self-restraint and generosity of spirit, one that creates opportunities for people to participate in community life and self-realisation.[2]
2. Dynamic, resilient and fair economies
Innovation and creativity are required if local economies are to thrive in the coming century.
This recognises that work is vital for our wellbeing and, whether inside or outside the home, it makes a valuable contribution to our individual wellbeing and the economy. Vibrant local
economies are required to sustain vibrant local communities. Local employment is highly desirable as it minimises the personal and environmental costs of travel. When people work locally they are embedded in the local community and are more inclined to contribute to the social life of the community and retail spending is retained. Wealth is distributed so that everyone’s basic needs are met, and quality of life is attained irrespective of advantage, disadvantage or circumstance. It is also recognised that development must be undertaken in a sustainable fashion with all environmental impacts minimised. Businesses pride themselves on being environmentally responsible. The economic theme is strongly tied to a skilled workforce and thus the education and skill levels of its citizens. It is envisioned that our schools will be dedicated to creating capable, confident, emotionally mature young people who are equipped to reach their full potential.2
3. Sustainable built and natural environments
It is recognised that we are dependent on the natural world to sustain our lives. The natural world provides clean air and water; detoxifies pollutants, and provides raw materials for building, transport and food production. Landscapes, plants and animals have intrinsic value and enrich our lives by providing experiences and recreational opportunities. In urban settings, parks and gardens contribute to people’s sense of wellbeing.
A community that values the environment minimises its impacts, uses resources wisely, and protects biodiversity. Renewable energy is used to power our lifestyles and industry, combined with reliable public transport networks and bicycle and walking paths, which reduce reliance on the car, minimising greenhouse gas emissions. New houses are built to incorporate sustainable design features and older houses are retrofitted to maximise efficiency. Waste is minimised, and waste and water recycled with the overall aim of reducing our ecological footprint to allow sustainable living. Indicators in this domain will provide important information for council policies and plans, including: an MSS, Environmental Policy, Transport, Economic Development, Housing Strategy, Youth, Aged Care, Asset Management, Local Laws, Social Policy and Planning, Heritage and Urban Design.2
4. Democratic and active citizenship
In a democratic community, people participate in decision-making and local government processes are transparent and accountable. People have confidence that government will make good decisions and run for elected positions. Because they are engaged they feel empowered, that they have personal political efficacy and that they are in control of their destinies. People feel that they have equality before the law and fair and equal access to the justice system. Media ownership is shared, government is accountable and events ar reported accurately.2
5. Culturally rich and vibrant communities
Our culture and leisure activities shape our community identity. Art, film and literature reflect and comment on the social issues of the times. A culturally rich community protects heritage sites, preserves social knowledge and provides opportunities to participate in sporting and recreational activity – all of which assist in creating a better work–life balance. It is also a community that celebrates diversity and is welcoming to people of diverse cultures.
Indicators in this domain will provide important information for council policies and plans, including: Leisure and Recreation, Neighbourhood Action Plans, Social Policy and Planning, Heritage, Integration, Diversity, Public Health and Urban Design.2
Where has data come from?
Data for the Community Indicators Victoria framework comes from a range of sources, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics, existing administrative data, existing surveys, the state-wide VicHealth Indicators Survey (2011) and Community Indicators Victoria Survey (2007).
Existing administrative data sources include Victorian Government departments such as the Department of Victorian Communities, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
For more information on the Community Indicators Data Framework and for further explanation on data in this health profile, please visit www.communityindicators.net.au
Healthy safe and inclusive communities
Summary
Approximately 60 per cent of Greater Geelong adult residents report overall good health. However, 53.8 per cent of adults in Greater Geelong have been identified as overweight or obese. There is substantial research available that suggests that inactivity, high intakes of energy dense foods, low intakes of nutrient dense foods and large portion sizes have a large impact on the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and ultimately health. Just over 60 per cent of the municipality are meeting recommended physical activity levels, meaning there are nearly 40 per cent of the municipality who are not engaging in 30 minutes or more of physical activity on most days of the week. It is also recommended that adults consume two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables per day. Just over 50 per cent of adults are consuming their recommended fruit and 10 per cent are meeting their recommended vegetable intake per day.
Research strongly shows that drinking excess levels of alcohol and smoking can have impacts on health and wellbeing. In the municipality, 18 per cent of adults were identified as smokers, with a higher number of male smokers than females. In addition, nearly 12 per cent of adults in the municipality were regularly drinking at risky levels, and again, males appear to be at more risk than females.
In terms of mental health and wellbeing, just fewer than 10 per cent of adults in the municipality are at risk of psychological distress, which is relatively similar to the state. Geelong also recorded slightly above average in ‘feeling part of the community’ (average index score above 70 – Geelong scored 74.3) and over 90 per cent of the community feel they have someone to help them in times of need.
Volunteering and participation in schools provide opportunities for social connections, personal satisfaction, self esteem and self confidence. Volunteering levels are low in the municipality and parental participation in schools levels have dropped.
Gambling can seriously affect many aspects of an individual’s life and can also affect family members, friends and carers. Geelong also has a higher number of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) per 100,000 of population and a higher gaming expenditure per adult resident than the state.
Ensuring children are healthy can reduce later incidences of chronic disease. The number of parents taking their children to 3.5 year old ages and stages for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) checks has improved and immunisation rates are over 90 per cent for children 12-15 months of age. The results from the 2012 Australian Early Development Index demonstrate that 9.3 per cent of children in the municipality are vulnerable on 2 or more domains. These results indicate that the proportion of vulnerable children remains below the State and National average; however this is not the case for all suburbs within the municipality. Whittington and Corio were the worst performing suburbs, not performing well against the state and national averages across all five domains. St Leonards/Indented Head did not perform well against state and national averages in four of the domains.
Perceptions of safety are high in Greater Geelong, although crime and family violence has increased over the years.
Education and training has seen some big changes, with significant drops across all age groups in people enrolling in vocational education and training. For example, of those 15-19 years of age there has been a 25.76 per cent drop in vocational education and training enrolments between 2006 and 2011. Of 15-19 year olds who were not attending school in 2011, 18.1 per cent were not engaged in work or other forms of study. For 17 year olds, 78.4 per cent were still attending secondary school, however there were also 12.1 per cent not attending any educational institution.
Personal health and wellbeing
Self reported health
Self-Reporting Health as Excellent or Very Good / Greater City of Geelong / Victoria / Source% of adult population / 59.8 / 54.3 / 2007 - CIV Survey
% of male adult population / 58.6 / 53.1
% of female adult population / 61 / 55.5
% of population aged 18-34 years / 74.1 / 60.3
% of population aged 35-54 years / 57.9 / 57.2
% of population aged 55 years & over / 50.5 / 44.8
Self-reported health was measured in the 2007 CIV Survey. Respondents were asked to rate their health as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. The Greater City reported higher levels of health with 59.8 per cent of the population reporting their health as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ compared to the Victorian average of 54.3 per cent.
People aged between 18-34 years of age reported the best levels of health for both Greater Geelong and Victoria, with 74.1 per cent and 60.3 per cent reporting ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ health respectively.
Subjective wellbeing
Subjective wellbeingPersonal Wellbeing Index / Greater City of Geelong / Victoria / Source
Overall index score / 78.4 / 77.5 / 2011 - VicHealth Indicators Survey
Males / 77.9 / 77
Females / 78.8 / 78
People Aged 18-34 Years: / 78.8 / 78.2
People Aged 35-54 Years / 76.7 / 76.6
People Aged 55 Years and Over / 80.1 / 78.1
Subjective wellbeing was measured in the 2011 VicHealth Indicators Survey using the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index (AUWBI). Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with their lives on seven domains (standard of living; health; achievements in life; community connection; personal relationships; safety; and future security). This resulted in an aggregated Personal Wellbeing Index ranging between 0-100. Normative data from the Index indicates that the average Personal Wellbeing Index for Australians is approximately 75.
In 2011, the City of Greater Geelong scored 78.4 compared to the Victorian state average of 77.5. Those aged 55+ years scored well above the Personal Wellbeing Index average with an average of 80.1 (state average for this age bracket was 78.1).