Local health issues and needs

• There is a high incidence and prevalence of depression across all age groups
  
  
• There are particularly high rates of depression among females aged 35-54
  
  
• There is a high incidence of schizophrenia in males 5-14
  
  
• There are high rates of generalised anxiety disorder for females aged 34-64
  
  
• There are many cases of schizophrenia, trauma and social phobia reported (particularly among the younger age groups)
  
  
• Significant difficulties are experienced in accessing mental health services, such as the system is hard to navigate, inadequate responses and a lack of funding for services
  
  
• Stigma is often experienced by people with mental health issues and can act as a barrier to service access

• The most prevalent chronic diseases in our catchment area are diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer
  
  
• Diabetes accounts of majority of Ambulatory Care Serious Conditions (ACSCs)
  
  
• From age 55, Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) is the third most prevalent disease among males and the fifth most prevalent among women
  
  
• Links have been made between chronic diseases and low level of physical activity and inadequate diet.
  
  
• Education, early intervention and self-management have been identified as key areas of importance to target
  

• Dental conditions have the highest cases of prevalence and incidence across all age groups (with the exception of males over 75, for whom hearing loss is marginally more prevalent)
  
  
• Dental conditions are the second highest cause of ACSCs in Stonnington and the third highest in Port Phillip
  
  
• Difficulties have been identified around access to affordable dental health services

• There is a very high prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence among 15-54 year old males (particularly in the 25-44 age bracket) and among females aged 15-44

• 374 incidents in Stonnington (down from 516 in 2002/03);
  
  
• 522 incidents in Glen Eira (up from 484 in 2002/03); and
  
  
• 436 incidents Port Phillip (down from 508 in 2002/03)

• There is a high incidence of unintentional injuries across all of the age groups
  
  
• There are a high number of falls, particularly among older adults
  
  
• There are a high incidence of intentional injuries (including suicide) among males and females aged 15-44