Health alert for young Tasmanians

Medical experts have called for urgent changes to healthcare in Tasmania after a new report revealed the health of young Tasmanians was among the worst in the country.

Female bare feet with weight scale in the bathroom, scales generic

URGENT change to the delivery of healthcare in Tasmania has been called for by medical experts after a new report revealed the health of young Tasmanians was among the worst in the country.

Data released by private health provider St.LukesHealth revealed Tasmanians aged 25 to 34 were more likely to have unprotected sex, brush their teeth once a day and have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with their interstate counterparts.

Of the 350 young Tasmanians surveyed, it was revealed more than half identified as overweight or obese, while more than a third of men reported having safe sex only “sometimes” or “never”.

Statistics also revealed more than one-third of those surveyed reported accessing professional help for their mental health.

Data released by private health provider St.LukesHealth revealed Tasmanians aged 25 to 34 were more likely to have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with their interstate counterparts.

General practitioner Jerome Muir Wilson said the report indicated Tasmanians would need higher levels of healthcare than in previous generations.

“Not only is healthcare the biggest spend in the state budget, unhealthy people cannot contribute to our communities when they are unable to work, learn and innovate,” he said.

“To relieve these pressures and future-proof our health system, we need to urgently support young Tasmanians and their families.

“This new data provides an incredible insight into Tasmania’s future and can’t be ignored.”

Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said the data was from a relatively small sample size that might not give a clear enough indication to the state’s mental health condition.

“We can look at it with interest but caution,” she said.

“But I think there are improvements to be made in the space of mental health. Anxiety and depression are largely preventable so if we take a stronger preventable approach we can better support those at risk.”

Health Minister Michael Ferguson defended the Government’s commitment to mental health. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The data comes after an independent report into Tasmania’s mental health services was released last month by health policy analyst Martyn Goddard based on data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

It showed that by 2015-16 the State Government’s share of Tasmanian mental health funding was the lowest in the nation, at 88.08 per cent, compared with a national average of 95.2 per cent.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson in October defended the Government’s commitment to mental health, and said the budget’s $104 million plan for mental health was welcomed by mental health stakeholders.

Labor’s health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said more work was needed to address mental health among school-age children.

“It is widely acknowledged that early intervention and prevention during childhood and adolescence is the most effective way to address mental health issues, and supports the health and well being of our young people” she said.