NORTH West residents are twice as likely to die from an avoidable death compared with the Queensland average.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Alarming figures for the North West Hospital and Health Service - detailed in the Health of Queenslanders report by the state’s chief health officer - also show nearly one in every three North West residents are obese (29 per cent).
In statistics that are equally concerning, the region ranks as the worst in the state in three out of 12 categories detailed in the report.
The region also ranks second worst in another category, and third worst in three other categories.
NWHHS ranks in the top 10 best performers from the 16 Queensland regions in only two of the 12 health categories.
It is also one of the worst three regions in seven of the 12 overall health indicators. It is ranked worst in the state for avoidable death rates, cardiovascular disease rates and cancer rates.
State member for Mount Isa Rob Katter says “third world statistics” were outlined for the North West in the Chief Health Officer’s Health Report.
Mr Katter said the report was “disturbing” but reminded the state government that they cut the Public Health Unit from Mount Isa in 2012, and a large number of jobs were lost.
“We lost several nutritionists and dieticians who had been running free weight loss programs which were considered vital to the health and well-being of this area,” Mr Katter said.
■ Full coverage in Thursday's The North West Star