A recent study released by beseenhub.com has ranked the healthiest and unhealthiest areas across Australia for 2024, showcasing significant regional differences in health outcomes. The comprehensive analysis scrutinised 88 Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions, utilizing the most recent data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 dataset. This data included a variety of health indicators, such as chronic disease prevalence and the need for assistance with core activities.
South Australia emerged strong in the rankings, claiming five of the top ten spots for the healthiest areas in the country. Topping this list is Adelaide (central) and the Adelaide Hills, with an impressive overall health score of 90. This area reported remarkably low figures for serious conditions, including a diabetes rate of only 3.3%, a heart disease prevalence of 1.7%, and an exceptionally low 0.2% of the population affected by dementia. Only 2.1% of its population requires assistance with daily tasks, reflecting a relatively lower level of disability compared to other regions.
In order, the top 10 healthiest areas in Australia are:
- Adelaide, SA – Central and Hills (90)
- Adelaide, SA – North (88.2)
- Adelaide, SA – South (87.8)
- Adelaide, SA – West (87.7)
- Australian Capital Territory (86.8)
- Ballarat, Vic (86.7)
- Barossa – Yorke – Mid-North, SA (86.8)
- Bendigo, Vic (86.3)
- Brisbane, QLD – East (86.1)
- Brisbane, QLD – North (86)
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Wide Bay in Queensland was determined to be the nation’s unhealthiest area, scoring just 60 in the health rankings. This region faces severe health challenges, as evidenced by high rates of chronic diseases such as arthritis at 15%, heart disease at 6.6%, and significant mental health issues affecting 12.1% of its residents. Additionally, 10% of the population in Wide Bay require daily living assistance.
The top 10 unhealthiest areas in Australia are:
- Wide Bay, QLD (60)
- Western Australia – Wheat Belt (61.1)
- Western Australia – Outback (South) (64.4)
- Western Australia – Outback (North) (65.7)
- West and North West, Tas (66.3)
- Warrnambool and South West, Vic (66.6)
- Townsville, QLD (66.7)
- Toowoomba, QLD (67.2)
- Sydney, Sutherland NSW (76.5)
- Sydney South West NSW (68.2)
The study aimed to illuminate the health disparities across various Australian communities, providing insights that could guide public health initiatives and resource allocation. Specific data points considered in the study include the prevalence of conditions such as asthma, cancer, kidney and lung diseases, strokes, and other long-term health conditions, along with metrics on mental health and general well-being.
The information gathered suggests that urban areas like Adelaide and Brisbane generally fare better in health outcomes compared to some rural regions. Notably, all top-ranking areas showed lower percentages of individuals suffering from long-term health conditions and higher percentages of populations with no long-term health conditions at all.
Key Findings:
- With an overall health score of 90, Central and Hills in Adelaide is the healthiest area in Australia, while Wide Bay in Queensland is the unhealthiest, scoring only 60.
- Assistance with Core Activities: Only 2.1% of people in Adelaide’s Central and Hills require help with daily tasks, compared to 10% in Queensland’s Wide Bay.
- Arthritis: Adelaide’s Central and Hills has the lowest percentage of arthritis patients (2.9%), while Queensland’s Wide Bay has the highest percentage (15%).
- Asthma: The prevalence of asthma is lowest in Barossa—Yorke—Mid North, SA (5%) and highest in South West Sydney (10.8%).
- Cancer: The percentage of people who’ve had cancer, including those in remission, is lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (1.1%) and highest in Wheatbelt, WA (4.6%).
- Dementia: The percentage of people with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (0.2%) and highest in Wheatbelt, WA (1.4%).
- Diabetes: Gestational diabetes excluded, Bendigo has the lowest percentage of diabetics (2.3%), while West and North West, Tasmania, have the highest percentage (7.2%).
- Heart Disease: The lowest rate of heart disease, including heart attacks and angina, is found in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (1.7%), while the highest rate is found in Wide Bay, Queensland (6.6%).
- Kidney Disease: Bendigo in Victoria and the Capital Region in NSW have the lowest percentage of individuals with kidney disease (0.5%), and Wheatbelt, WA has the highest (1.6%).
- Lung Condition: The percentage of people with lung conditions, such as COPD or emphysema, is the lowest in Adelaide’s Central and Hills (0.7%) and the highest in Queensland’s Wide Bay (4.1%).
- Mental Health Condition: There are fewer people (4%) in Barossa – Yorke – Mid North than in South West Sydney (12.5%) who suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
- Stroke: The percentage of people who have had a stroke in Adelaide’s Central and Hills is the lowest (0.3%), while in Wheatbelt, WA, it is the highest (1.7%).
- Other Long-term Health Conditions: Adelaide’s Central and Hills have the lowest percentage of people with other long-term health conditions (4.1%), while Outback (South), WA has the highest (10.4%).
- No Long-term Health Conditions: The percentage of people without long-term health conditions is highest in West Adelaide (69.2%) and lowest in Wide Bay (48.4%).
- Urban areas like Adelaide and Brisbane have better health indicators than metropolitan areas like Sydney, Western Australia, and Queensland.
10 Healthiest Areas in Australia 2024
The full findings of this study, along with the analysis method and detailed regional health scores, are available for public review at beseenhub.com.
