By Kirsty Ross
WYNDHAM women are some of the state’s healthiest, a new study has found.
According to the latest Victorian Burden of Disease study, women living in Wyndham are ranked eighth out of almost 80 municipalities.
The scale of healthiness rates areas from 1 –78 with best health at the lower end, to worst at the high end.
Maribyrnong’s women are rated the worst in the region at 54, followed closely by Brimbank at 50.
Hobsons Bay’s women are mediocre at score of 37, while Moonee Pond’s ladies slip in at 10th place.
Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said the study was the most accurate snapshot of the impact of disease and ill health in the Victorian community.
It is only the second such study, after the first looked at the state’s burden of disease in 1996.
The study found almost all central and western suburbs residents had lower rates of cancer than the state average.
Maribyrnong and Brimbank have the highest male cancer rates while Melton and Hobsons Bay have the highest in females.
Maribyrnong has the highest diabetes rate for women.
“Throughout this region reductions in smoking, especially in men, have led to health improvements,” Ms Pike said.
She said residents had been having their blood pressure and cholesterol levels tested and are taking preventative medication.
The study took into account the number years of healthy life lost due to premature death, disease and injury.
Ms Pike said the biggest killers and causes of illness are cancer, mental disorders, cardiovascular diseases and neurological and sense disorders.
