Understanding the Health Landscape: Insights from our Community
Recently, we engaged with our community across the Hunter, New England, and Central Coast regions to understand their health needs, priorities, and experiences accessing services. We appreciate the valuable input from 417 individuals who participated in our comprehensive survey. These insights will help us better address the healthcare landscape and shape initiatives that directly cater to the diverse needs of our community.
Community Demographics
Responses came from all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) within our region, providing a broad representation of our diverse population. The Central Coast emerged as the area with the highest number of participants (20%), followed by Armidale (11%) and Mid-Coast (13%), reflecting the geographical distribution of our respondents.
The majority of participants were female (83%), with First Nations, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander individuals making up 11% of the responses. Age demographics revealed a significant representation from the older population, with 32% aged 60 and above. An additional 59% fell into the 45-59 age bracket, and 9% were between 18 and 45 years old.
Accessing Health Information
Our survey highlighted the diverse ways people gather information about local health services. Traditional routes like reaching out to local doctors, clinics, or pharmacies remain popular, with 30% preferring this method.
Word-of-mouth recommendations from family and friends continue to hold significant influence, garnering 26% of responses. The digital age is also making its mark, with 25% relying on internet searches, primarily using search engines like Google.
Telehealth Utilization and GP Visits
Over three-quarters (77%) of respondents reported using telehealth services in the past year, showcasing its increasing integration into healthcare delivery. While 9% of telehealth users expressed their reluctance to continue, a further 18% of those who hadn’t used it were open to exploring this option.
Nearly all (93%) participants had consulted a General Practitioner or local doctor within the last year, either personally or for someone in their care. While thankfully 2% reported not needing medical attention, a concerning 5% required medical care they were unable to access.
Barriers to Accessing Healthcare
Accessibility emerged as a major concern, with 61% describing reaching their local doctor as “difficult” or “very difficult”. This indicated a significant need to address existing barriers and improve the ease of accessing medical care.
The most frequent challenges cited were long wait times for appointments (27%), difficulty securing an appointment (21%), a shortage of doctors in their area (17%), escalating healthcare costs (14%), and inconveniently timed opening hours (7%).
Five percent of participants reported no challenges, highlighting the variability in experiences and access depending on individual circumstances and geographical location.
Health Needs and Priorities
Mental health and wellbeing were identified as the most pressing concern (14%), followed by high blood pressure (11%), arthritis/osteoporosis (10%), and weight/nutrition issues (8%).
Open-ended responses further painted a picture of broader health priorities. Women’s health concerns, including endometriosis, menopause, and polycystic ovarian syndrome, were frequently mentioned. Behavioral issues and neurodivergence, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, were also raised, alongside concerns about Parkinson’s disease.
Top Community Challenges and Desired Services
Beyond individual health concerns, the community voiced
Based on the survey findings, what specific initiatives or programs could be implemented to better address the unique healthcare needs of the aging population in the region, given their strong representation in the survey results?
## Understanding the Health Landscape: A Conversation with Alex Reed
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into the results of a recent community health survey conducted across the Hunter, New England, and Central Coast regions. Joining us to discuss these findings is Alex Reed, [Alex Reed Title].
**Alex Reed:** Delighted to be here. This survey offers valuable insights into the health needs and preferences of our community.
**Host:** Absolutely. Could you walk us through some of the key takeaways?
**Alex Reed:** Certainly. We received responses from 417 individuals across all 23 Local Government Areas, so it’s a pretty comprehensive snapshot. One striking finding was the strong representation of older adults – 32% of respondents were aged 60 and above, with another 59% falling between 45 and 59. This highlights the growing healthcare needs of our aging population and the need for services tailored to their unique concerns.
**Host:** That’s a significant demographic trend. What about the diverse ways people access health information?
**Alex Reed:** It’s an interesting mix! While traditional methods like contacting doctors or pharmacies remain popular at 30%, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family still carry significant weight at 26%. Interestingly, 25% are relying on internet searches, demonstrating the growing importance of online health resources.
**Host:** That digital shift is undeniable. What about telehealth? We’ve seen its use surge in recent years.
**Alex Reed:** Definitely. 77% of respondents reported using telehealth services in the past year, which is a remarkable figure. While some expressed reluctance to continue, a notable 18% of those who hadn’t used it were open to exploring telehealth, indicating its potential for wider adoption.
**Host:** It seems telehealth is here to stay. What are the next steps based on these findings?
**Alex Reed:** This survey is a starting point, but a crucial one. It will guide us in developing targeted initiatives that address the identified needs and preferences. For instance, making sure health information is accessible online, ensuring telehealth services meet diverse needs, and considering the specific healthcare concerns of our aging population.
**Host:** Very important work indeed. Thank you for sharing these insights with us today, Alex Reed.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure. I encourage everyone to stay engaged and informed about their health and the services available to them.
[Optional Closing Remark by the Host]
