Health networks have been accused of failing Broadmeadows residents after the suburb recorded “appalling rates” of preventable hospital admissions over the past decade.
A Grattan Institute report has mapped suburbs where residents are most likely to end up in hospital for treatment of manageable conditions, such as diabetes, tooth decay and asthma.
Broadmeadows topped the list, alongside the Greater Geelong suburbs of Corio and Norlane.
The institute uncovered high hospital admission rates for Broadmeadows residents diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes and asthma, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Grattan Institute health program director Dr Stephen Duckett said the report highlighted “unacceptable” place-based inequality in Victoria.
He has called on state and federal governments and health networks to come up with targeted solutions for each health hotspot, saying that Australia’s one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare is not working.
“Government and primary health networks must ensure that all communities get a fair go,” Dr Duckett said. “Improving the health of people in these priority places will, in the long-run, improve wellbeing and opportunity, social cohesion and inclusion, workforce participation and productivity – and reduce health system costs.
“More importantly, some of the most disadvantaged Australians will get the chance to lead healthier, more productive lives.”
The Grattan Institute report found 25 Victorian hotspots where admission rates for such conditions were 50 per cent above state averages, every year for 10 years.
Dianella Health chief executive Dr Neil Cowen said it showed the link between social and economic disadvantages and poor health.
“This reflects that Broadmeadows has a concentration of vulnerable, high-needs people. The higher the concentration of vulnerable, high-needs people, the more you are going to get this outcome,” he said.
“The link between poverty and poor health outcomes is a no-brainer.”
Dr Cowen said diabetes, COPD and dental problems were widespread in Broadmeadows area, attributing high rates of hospital admissions for dental problems to the shortage of public dentistry chairs,
“There is an 18-month waiting list for public dentistry in Broadmeadows, which is longer than the state average,” Dr Cowen said.
“Untreated oral health problems leads to other health problems.”
He called for more early intervention and education programs, and more services.
