While Covid undoubtedly had a major impact on our health, a new report has revealed just how wide-reaching it was.
According to Wesfarmers Health: Australia’s Health Index, we’re still in a serious ‘health debt’ after the pandemic, with Australians’ cardiometabolic health yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
With cardiometabolic disease, including stroke and heart attack, the leading cause of death in Australia, the report captured metrics for risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, daily smoking and diabetes.
Our smallest state, the Australian Capital Territory, is our healthiest state or territory, with Tasmania found to be the most at risk.
The findings were collated by looking at the data from three million digital checks on more than two million people between 2018 and 2024. These were done via free tests at SiSU Health Stations located in Priceline Pharmacy stores in over 500 locations, which measure health risk factors like blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index.
Australia’s 2024 Index score rang in at 92 (the baseline in 2018 was 100), meaning the odds of having two or more health risk factors is eight per cent higher than it was in 2018.
Alarmingly, nearly one in two Australians have an elevated risk of heart disease, and three in five do not get their blood pressure checked regularly.
What’s more, almost one million Australians are at extreme risk of a heart attack or stroke (with men at greatest risk), and the number of people with diabetes is predicted to increase by one million over the next five years.
“We were making progress in improving rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity until Covid disrupted that momentum,” explains Priceline pharmacist Amy Jones. “Now we face a cardiometabolic health debt that requires consistent vigilance to return to pre-pandemic levels and continue on the path to better health.”
So, what can you do? Regularly check your blood pressure, heart rate and body fat percentage (you can do this for free and in under five minutes at your local Priceline Pharmacy), avoid smoking and check in with your GP if you notice any major changes.
