Health status

Self-rated health

In 2008, just over 8 in 10 adults (80.2 per cent) rated their health positively (as excellent, very good, or good). Generally, positive self-rated health decreased with age. A significantly higher proportion of males (82.4 per cent) than females (78.1 per cent) rated their health positively. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (85.2 per cent) rated their health positively, compared with the overall adult population. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (76.3 per cent) rated their health positively, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who rated their health positively (85.0 per cent to 80.2 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, all age groups except 55-64 years and 65 years and over, all socioeconomic quintiles except the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who rated their health positively; however there was a significant decrease in the second quintile of disadvantage.

Current asthma

In 2008, just over 1 in 10 adults (10.5 per cent) had current doctor-diagnosed asthma. There was no significant difference by age or socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly lower proportion of males (8.4 per cent) than females (12.6 per cent) had current doctor-diagnosed asthma. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (13.7 per cent) had current doctor-diagnosed asthma, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had current doctor-diagnosed asthma.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had current doctor-diagnosed asthma; however there was a significant increase in the third quintile of disadvantage.

Diabetes or high blood glucose

In 2008, just under 1 in 10 adults (7.3 per cent) had been told by a doctor or hospital they had diabetes or high blood glucose. Generally, diabetes or high blood glucose increased with age and socioeconomic disadvantage. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (8.8 per cent) than urban health areas (6.6 per cent) had been told by a doctor or hospital they had diabetes or high blood glucose. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England Area Health Service (9.7 per cent) had been told by a doctor or hospital they had diabetes or high blood glucose, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who had been told by a doctor or hospital they had diabetes or high blood glucose (4.7 per cent to 7.3 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, adults aged 45 years and over, all socioeconomic quintiles, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had been told by a doctor or hospital they had diabetes or high blood glucose.

Mental health (psychological distress)

In 2008, just over 1 in 10 adults (10.6 per cent) had high or very high levels of psychological distress. A significantly lower proportion of adults aged 65 years and over (7.5 per cent) had high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared with the overall adult population. A significantly lower proportion of males (8.5 per cent) than females (12.6 per cent) had high or very high levels of psychological distress. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the first or least disadvantaged quintile (5.8 per cent) had high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared with the overall adult population. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service (7.9 per cent) had high or very high levels of psychological distress, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had high or very high levels of psychological distress; however, there has been a significant decrease in adults aged 65 years and over, and the first or least disadvantaged quintile.

Since 2007, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who had high or very high levels of psychological distress (12.1 per cent to 10.6 per cent). The decreased has been significant in males.

Oral health (all natural teeth missing)

In 2008, slightly more than 1 in 20 adults (5.1 per cent) had all their natural teeth missing (edentulism). Generally, the proportion of adults who had all their natural teeth missing increased with age and socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly lower proportion of males (4.0 per cent) than females (6.2 per cent) had all their natural teeth missing. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (7.2 per cent) than urban health areas (4.2 per cent) had all their natural teeth missing. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (7.3 per cent), North Coast (7.1 per cent), Greater Southern (7.0 per cent), and Greater Western (7.6 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra (4.0 per cent), Sydney West (3.9 per cent), and Northern Sydney & Central Coast (3.9 per cent) Area Health Services had all their natural teeth missing, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1998, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who had all their natural teeth missing (8.2 per cent to 5.1 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, all age groups except 25-44 years, all socioeconomic quintiles, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had all their natural teeth missing.

Overweight and obesity

In 2008, just over one-half of adults were either overweight or obese (52.9 per cent), based on self-reported height and weight. Generally, the proportion of adults who were either overweight or obese increased with age (to 64 years) and socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly higher proportion of males (60.0 per cent) than females (45.7 per cent) were either overweight or obese. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (59.3 per cent) than urban health areas (50.1 per cent) were either overweight or obese. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (57.7 per cent), Greater Southern (60.2 per cent), and Greater Western (66.0 per cent) Area Health Services were either overweight or obese, compared with the overall adult population. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra Area Health Service (47.9 per cent) were either overweight or obese, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who were either overweight or obese (41.8 per cent to 52.9 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all socioeconomic quintiles, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who were either overweight or obese; however, there has been a significant increase in adults aged 16-24 years.

Obesity

In 2008, just under 2 in 10 adults (18.6 per cent) were obese, based on self-reported height and weight. Generally, the proportion of adults who were obese increased with age (to 64 years) and socioeconomic disadvantage. There was no significant difference between males and females. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (22.7 per cent) than urban health areas (16.8 per cent) were obese. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (22.8 per cent) and Greater Western (28.4 per cent) Area Health Services were obese, compared with the overall adult population. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service (15.3 per cent) were obese, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who were obese (11.2 per cent to 18.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all socioeconomic quintiles, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who were obese.

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2008 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Print version:	Although this page can be printed directly from your web browser, a higher quality version is available as a PDF file that can be printed or viewed on screen.
Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 March 2009