Planners take heart in Dandenong

GREATER Dandenong has the highest rate of heart disease in Victoria and holds the title of Australia’s most heart unhealthy region.
A recent survey of more than 20,000 people revealed that almost 32 per cent of Dandenong’s population was affected by the disease.
Heart Foundation chief executive officer Kathy Bell said the high rate was undoubtedly linked to the area’s low socio-economic status.
“We find in general, throughout the world, the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas are where the worst health seems to be,” she said.
“Greater Dandenong residents have the greatest prevalence of cardiovascular disease, the highest rate of cholesterol, second highest rate of blood pressure and the third highest prevalence of sedentary behaviour. Smoking in disadvantaged areas is generally twice as high compared to more advantaged areas.”
Ms Bell said a way the Heart Foundation was trying to tackle this problem was through not just focussing on individual behaviour.
“We are lobbying for government planning for better access to cycling and walking paths and public transport,” she said. “More effort needs to be put into helping lower income earners.”