$10M community action plan to improve health in Logan

The Palaszczuk Government today announced a $10M community action plan to improve the health of people in Logan.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said the Logan Community Health Action Plan 2017 (CHAP) was developed following a November 2016 community forum, which sought information and local solutions to issues affecting the health and wellbeing of Logan residents.

“This plan is about delivering real and meaningful improvements in the health of Logan residents so we can achieve better health outcomes for the wider community,” the Minister said.

“Whilst many people in Logan enjoy good health, there are some that have poorer health outcomes compared to other Queenslanders.

“Through this plan we will deliver local strategies to target improvements in nutrition, maternity care, immunisation rates, mental health, multicultural and refugee health, and dental care.”

Mr Dick said the plan contributed to achieving the Palaszczuk Government’s Advancing Health 2026 vision that by 2026 Queenslanders will be among the healthiest people in the world.

“We want to provide equitable access to health services in Logan City,” Mr Dick said.

“That’s why this plan looks to build pathways and empower people to drive change in their lives and take control of their own health and wellbeing.

“This is particularly relevant for refugees, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, and those people living in the Logan community facing financial hardship or some other disadvantage that may hinder their access to health services.”

Ms Gail Kerr OAM, Chief Executive officer of Access Community Services said: “This plan is about collaborating and co-operating, from the ground up and the top down, to drive improved health service for people in Logan.”

“Queensland Health is a big system, but this plan shows it can be sensitive, responsive, and contribute to great outcomes.”

Member for Logan, Linus Power, said he was pleased the plan was developed within the local community and would deliver local health solutions.

“We know that good health is not something which is shared equally across the Logan community, and it’s been important for the local community to play a key role in identifying health gaps and coming up with local solutions,” Mr Power said.

“I’ve been a big supporter of dental programs like Lift the Lip and the school tooth brushing program and I hope the expansion of these programs will ensure better health outcomes for Logan children.”

Member for Waterford and Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Shannon Fentiman, said the expansion of midwifery services back into the community was a big win for the Logan community and for Logan women.

“During the last state election, I and other Logan Labor members campaigned for the restoration of community midwifery services and I’m very proud that our Government has been able to deliver this for local women.

“Lack of access to transport, cultural and social issues are just some of the reasons why women don’t currently access adequate antenatal care and this push back into the community will go some way toward improving future access.”

Member for Springwood and Minister for Housing, Public Works and Sport Mick de Brenni welcomed the plan’s strategies to target obesity in the local community.

“As a kid I struggled with my weight, and was sometimes teased at school. As a teenager I was lucky to get into sport and learn how I could balance exercise and healthy eating and it made a huge difference to my life - so I know first-hand how important this plan is,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Diabetes is a factor in my family so seeing this plan deliver community based strategies to promote healthy weight, healthy eating and physical activity, and improve the quality of care for type 2 diabetes patients is very exciting."

The CHAP will be delivered in partnership with the community, healthcare providers and other stakeholders.

A copy of the community action plan is available on the Queensland Health website.

Logan Community Health Action Plan’s six priority areas

Obesity

• Healthy refugee communities
• BEACON diabetes Clinic
• Happier. Healthier.

Maternal and child health

• Community-based midwifery Group Practice
• Maternal and child health promotion, prevention, treatment and research: An integration approach
• Social media campaign

Immunisation

• Targeted Immunisation

Mental health

• Adolescent and young adult drug and alcohol detoxification service

Multicultural and refugee health

• Biannual multicultural health expo
• Health service providers’ cultural intelligence training

Dental

• Dental care program – Prep and Year 1
• Lift the Lip
• Healthy Mouth Day
• Refugee Dental Fair

Key facts

Obesity

In Logan, 68% of people aged 25 to 34 are overweight or obese, compared to the state average of 51%. Similarly, 69% of Logan people aged 55 to 64 are overweight or obese, compared with 67% for the state average.

There is also a rising prevalence of obesity in Logan refugee communities.

Across all adults in Logan, 49% of people have insufficient daily fruit intake, and 94% of people have insufficient daily vegetable intake.

The National Diabetes Service Scheme identifies Logan as having a high prevalence rate of diabetes, well above the national average.

Maternal and Child Health

About 7% of women in the Logan region do not attend the recommended number of antenatal appointments, compared to the state average of 5%.

In 2014-15, 10% of Queensland mothers smoked after 20 weeks gestation, compared to 15% in Logan, with some specific areas in the community as high as 27%.

The rate of low birth weight babies is similar to the state average of 7%, however in some areas of the Logan community it is as high as 14.8%.

Immunisation

In Logan, immunisation rates vary significantly across the community, with disparity across suburbs and population groups. For example, for 12-15 month olds, immunisation rates in Logan range from 91% to 96%. The Queensland average is 93%.

Mental health

While there are many programs, services and organisations available in Logan to support people’s mental health, the community has identified a key need for access to youth drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

Multicultural and refugee health

Logan is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Queensland, with 26.1% of Logan residents born in a country other than Australia, including 11.6% from a non-English speaking background.

While navigating the health system is challenging for most people, the challenges are multiplied many folds for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds due to language proficiency, unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, differing cultural and religious beliefs and lack of knowledge about where and how to access healthcare services.

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834