Ten social determinants of health were developed by the World Health Organisation in 2000, based on an increasing understanding of the significant sensitivity of health to the social environment. The ten social determinants are listed below.
The table below sets out some key indicators that provide a snap shot of some social determinants of health for the Bendigo-Loddon area. Most of the data is presented and discussed in more detail in other areas of this report. Much of the data relates to more than one of the social determinants of health. For instance, unemployment (to varying degrees) has an impact on: the social gradient, stress, social exclusion, work, unemployment and the social support social determinants of health. Data is from different sources and from different dates and should only be used as a general guide.
Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC)Ambulatory care is any medical care delivered where the patient does not need to stay in hospital overnight. If a patient visits a doctor's office, hospital or health centre without an overnight stay, it is considered ambulatory care. Hospitalisation rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions can be used as an indicator of access to and quality of primary health care. A range of factors, including disease prevalence in a community, personal choices, socio-economic factors and hospital admission and coding practices can also influence these rates.
The ACSC standardised admission rate for the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region increased from 43.7 to 45.7 between 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, reflecting the increase seen across Victoria (from 44.7 to 46.7). The admission rates for total ACSCs in the Bendigo-Loddon PCP region (45.7) in 2007-08 was slightly lower than the Victorian rate (46.7). Further information about ACSCs can be found at
www.health.vic.gov.au/healthstatus/acsc/index.htm.
Most common ACSCs
Diabetes complications were the most common ACSCs in the Bendigo Loddon PCP region in 2006/07. The rate in Loddon Shire was signficantly higher than in Greater Bendigo. Dental conditions were the next most common ACSC for both local government areas.
ACSC rates compared to Victoria and over time
In 2007/08, compared to the Victorian average, Greater Bendigo had higher admission rates for dental conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive cardiac failure, and cellulitis. Loddon Shire had a significantly higher admission rate for diabetes complications as well as higher rates for dental conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive cardiac failure, asthma, cellulitis, and ear, nose and throat infections.
Compared to the 2006/07 average admission rates, Greater Bendigo had increased rates for many of the ACSCs, including: Diabetes complications, dental conditions, COPD, and congestive cardiac failure. Loddon Shire had an increase in admission rates for fewer of the conditions and these included: COPD, congestive cardiac failure, cellulitis and ear, nose and throat infections.
The number of Greater Bendigo residents with diabetes* increased from 1,798 in 2001 to 3,620 in 2008, representing a 99% increase. As a proportion of population, the prevalence of diabetes in Greater Bendigo residents increased from 2.0% in 2001 to 3.6% in 2008. In 2008, Greater Bendigo was ranked 51 out of 79 Victorian Local Governments for proportion of population with diabetes.
In Loddon Shire, the number of residents with diabetes increased from 400 in 2001 to 833 in 2008, representing a 108% increase. As a proportion of population, the prevalence of diabetes in Loddon Shire residents increased from 4.6% in 2001 to 10.3% in 2008. In 2008, Loddon Shire had the highest proportion of population with diabetes of any of the 79 Victorian Local Governments.
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