Have your say about health in Edward River, Murray River and Murrumbidgee LGAs

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) is providing locals living in the Local Government Areas of Edward River, Murray River and Murrumbidgee an opportunity to share their stories about health in an effort to better support the community’s health needs.

MPHN is asking members of the community to share their thoughts on what is important to them about health, and what improvements could be made, as part of its HNA Community Feedback campaign.

MPHN Acting CEO Julie Redway said the feedback received would help to inform how health needs are met in the region.

“Each year we look at the various sources of information available to us about the health of our region including data and feedback from the community, to help us identify any new or emerging needs for us to consider as we plan our activity for 2021 and beyond,” Ms Redway said.

“We already know what data is telling us about the health needs of the Murrumbidgee and it’s important for us to know and understand from locals what people are actually experiencing.”

Dr Alison Koschel, Senior Manager Population Health Planning and Data at MPHN, said previous research has highlighted a number of health issues relevant to each of these three LGA communities.

“Our Health Needs Assessment in 2018 showed people in the Edward River LGA have a higher risk of premature deaths in both males and females as well as a higher risk of death from circulatory and heart disease. There is a higher incidence of cancer, in particular lung and bowel cancer, as well. Levels of screening for cervical cancer are also well below the state average.” Dr Koschel said.

“For the Murray River LGA, the Health Needs Assessment in 2018 showed screening for breast cancer to be significantly lower than the state average. The most prominent health risk factors in this LGA are obesity, male waist circumference and use of narcotics.”

“The Murrumbidgee LGA experience higher rates of premature deaths in males and females and a higher rate of deaths from circulatory diseases and cancer. Melanoma and prostate cancer have a higher incidence rate for the region, and health risk factors including obesity and assault were also identified in the 2018 Health Needs Assessment.”

“HNA Community Feedback is a great opportunity for the people living in the communities of Edward River, Murray River and Murrumbidgee Local Government Areas to share their thoughts and views on how we can reduce these risk factors and improve the health of everyone in the community. And the feedback we receive is used to update the health profile for each of these LGAs,” she said.

Locals are encouraged to head to www.mphn.org.au/hnato submit their feedback anytime during the month of June.