Chronic Disease

WentWest, is focused on chronic disease management and reducing its prevalence in the region.

What are Chronic Diseases?

Chronic diseases are characterised by complex causality, multiple risk factor, long latency periods, a prolonged course of illness and functional impairment or disability. Most chronic diseases don't resolve spontaneously and are generally not cured completely. They may persist throughout life, but may not cause death. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma are amongst the leading causes of death and disability in Australia. The most social disadvantaged areas often have the highest prevalence of chronic diseases. The rate of chronic disease in western Sydney is quite high. Diabetes is higher across many areas in western Sydney, compared to the national diabetes prevalence rate of 5.4%. The rates for Holroyd (7.6%), Blacktown (7.2%), Auburn (6.7%) and Parramatta (6.4%) are all considered high.

Why is Chronic Disease Management a priority for WentWest?

Chronic disease is a major contributor to the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia. People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds also have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. With western Sydney being such a diverse region, chronic disease issues are of acute importance regionally. Furthermore with the enormous social, personal and economic cost to the community, it is a priority for WentWest to provide assistance to combat chronic disease.

What is WentWest doing to address Chronic Disease issues?

GP's and practice nurses are instrumental in primary intervention, prevention, diagnosis and the management of chronic diseases in the community, as general practice is the first point of contact in the health care system. WentWest is committed to addressing chronic disease management through joint planning, capacity building, programs and service delivery. Ultimately, WentWest aims to reduce the overall burden of disease by offering a range of programs, such as increasing the accessibility to health care and medicines, providing disease specific support to patients and the eHealth record system to help people better manage chronic diseases.

Find out more about Chronic Disease

To find out more about Chronic Disease and how WentWest can assist you and your practice, contact the practice support team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone (02) 8811 7100.
ACN 099 255 103
ABN 80 099 255 106

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