Why Gold Coasters are healthier than ever

The Gold Coast is looking healthier than ever according to remarkable new numbers revealed by the Queensland Government — but doctors say there’s one more thing we should be doing.

THE Gold Coast is looking healthier than ever, with a 30 per cent drop in notifiable diseases reported in the city.

Over the past 12 months the Gold Coast Health Unit saw 4000 fewer patients present with serious conditions, with a drop from 13,515 to 9443 presentations of diseases such as salmonellosis, streptococcal and mumps.

Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture Glenn Hampson

Numbers published by the Queensland Government have also revealed a 69 per cent drop in the number of influenza cases recorded for the area following a 2017 outbreak.

The number of reported bloodborne viruses including HIV and hepatitis (B, C or D) also dropped by 18 per cent.

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Rota virus and Ross River fever cases also showed a slight decline.

But despite a positive turn in most areas, chickenpox cases were trending upwards.

Gold Coast Public Health Unit staff specialist Dr Anu Anuradha said improvements could be attributed to limited outbreaks over the year and proactive community vaccination programs.

Dr Anu Anuradha from the Gold Coast University Hospital's Public Health Unit.

“We all are aware of the very bad flu season we had 2017. In 2018 the numbers of cases was less than a quarter of that,” Dr Anuradha said.

“I believe this is related to a good vaccine uptake.

“We have been concerned about whooping cough but haven’t seen an increase over the past year.

“There were however more cases occurring in schools.

“Overall vaccination is our primary message still. Once an outbreak occurs it can be quite nasty.

“We know vaccination isn’t always at the front of everyone’s minds but we encourage people just to ask next time they are at their GP.”

The Health of Queensland 2018, a report by the Queensland Chief Health Officer, has revealed the Gold Coast is among the healthiest in the state with the lowest rate of maternal smoking, highest weight loss and the lowest in unneeded hospitalisations.

Ten per cent of Gold Coast adults smoke daily compared to 14 per cent in 2014.

The report also showed Gold Coast adults are more likely to be a healthy weight compared to adults living in other parts of Queensland.

Gold Coast Personal Trainer Mark Mathie who owns Wicked Bodz PT. Photo: Supplied.

Of the Gold Coast’s population of 591,570, about one in five (91,000) adults identified as obese, whereas the Queensland data shows one in four adults are obese.

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Dr Anu said the results showed the community was actively involved in maintaining health.

“The report shows 8 per cent of Gold Coast adults were inactive which is well below the state average, so it is encouraging to see more and more people on the Coast are choosing an active lifestyle,” she said.

Gold Coast personal trainer and gym owner Mark Mathie agreed the region had more of a focus on health than other cities.

“I think that is just the Gold Coast,” Mr Mathie said.

“Possibly the reputation of the Gold Coast is fit healthy people. You only have to go down the beach from daylight and there are swarms of people out walking, running and taking advantage of our beautiful back yard.’’

Mr Mathie said outside of fitness, Gold Coasters tended to be careful with their health, which could contribute to a drop in other medical issues.

“We need to continue to educate around nutrition. Poor food choices create so many health problems,” he said.