JHC CURRENTLY
SERVICES THE PRIMARY
CATCHMENT AREAS OF
THE CITY OF JOONDALUP
AND THE CITY OF
WANNEROO WHICH
HAVE A COMBINED
POPULATION OF
MORE THAN 350,000
RESIDENTS.
As the largest healthcare facility
in the northern suburbs and
a significant employer of its
residents, JHC is an integral part of
the local community and regularly
supports community events.
Wanneroo is the fastest growing
local government area in WA
and the fifth fastest growing in
Australia1.
The majority of growth (55% of the
total) is occurring in the ‘Northern
Coastal Growth Corridor’ which
encompasses the suburbs of
Alkimos, Eglinton, Yanchep and
Two Rocks.
The community that JHC
serves face some major health
challenges, including the following:
Multiple co-morbidities
Almost 60 per cent of JHC
patients are aged 45 and over.
This is significant because nearly
40 per cent of people in this age
bracket suffer from two or more
chronic conditions – this is known
as having multiple co-morbidities.
Our ageing population means
there will be a significant rise
in the prevalence of people
living with multiple conditions
over the coming decade, unless
more effective preventative,
management and treatment
services are put in place2.
Mental health illness
According to Black Dog
Institutemental illness is
very common with one in
five Australians aged 16-85
experiencing mental illness in any
year3. The most common mental
illnesses are depression, anxiety
and substance use disorder.
The Perth Primary Health
Network Population Health Needs
Assessment (2016-17) cites that
in Perth North Primary Health
Network more than 132,000
people were living with diagnosed
mental health or behavioural
conditions.
A 2016 report by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare
(AIHW) found that rates of hospital
admission for self-harm and for
drug and alcohol related issues
were higher in the northern
suburbs.
Clearly mental health remains a
challenge for all of Australia and is
especially so in our catchment.
Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases are the leading
cause of illness, disability and
death in Australia, accounting for
90 per cent of deaths in 20114.
There are common chronic
disease risk factors including
tobacco smoking, harmful use
of alcohol and drugs, obesity,
physical inactivity and poor
nutrition – all things which are
lifestyle choices and which can
be changed. These risk factors
can lead to chronic disease and
conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, cancer and
mental health issues.
1 City of Wanneroo website, 2017
2 http://www.wapha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/8918_WAPHA_Population-Health-Needs-Assessment_PHN-North_FA.pdf
3 https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/Factsandfiguresaboutmentalhealthandmooddisorders.pdf
4 www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/chronic-disease
JOONDALUP HEALTH CAMPUS | STRATEGIC INTENT 2017 - 2022 11