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The state of health.

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The state of our health

What does the relative prevalence of 10 health conditions, including asthma, cancer, diabetes and dementia, in locations across Victoria say about the state.

7 stories
Search health conditions in your area with The Age interactive

What are the most common health conditions in your suburb?

Which parts of Victoria have the highest rates of asthma and diabetes? And which suburb has the lowest rate of mental health conditions? Use The Age’s new tool to learn how the health of residents in your area compares with the statewide average.

  • Craig Butt, Aisha Dow and Henrietta Cook
Tarneit resident Marvin Magallanes loves the suburb due to its faith based community and proximity to the great outdoors.

Is this Melbourne’s happiest suburb, or is it hiding a problem?

Residents of this suburb in Melbourne’s west have the lowest rates of mental health conditions in Victoria. Use our interactive to see how your area compares to the rest of the state.

  • Henrietta Cook, Aisha Dow and Craig Butt
Hanna Elliot is not surprised their neighbourhood has one of the highest rates of asthma in Victoria.

Hanna wasn’t surprised to learn they live in one of Victoria’s asthma hotspots

The areas with the highest asthma rates in the state are clustered in one place. Use our new interactive to see how your area compares.

  • Aisha Dow, Henrietta Cook and Craig Butt
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Dr Vincent Strangio grew up around Avondale Heights and has several theories for its high dementia rates.

Migrants in this Melbourne suburb prospered. But long life brings new challenges

Avondale Heights has the highest rate of dementia in Victoria, but a story of longevity is hidden behind the figures. Use our new interactive to find out the state of your area’s health.

  • Aisha Dow, Henrietta Cook and Craig Butt
Rudi Graaff was diagnosed with diabetes 30 years ago
  • Exclusive

The great diabetes divide playing out across Melbourne

Use our new interactive to see how the health of your suburb compares to the rest of the state and find out what areas with high diabetes rates have in common.

  • Henrietta Cook, Aisha Dow and Craig Butt
Jenny Prowse moved to Paynesville four years ago.

Picturesque Paynesville attracts retirees. It’s also the postcode with the highest rates of cancer

Residents of the Gippsland holiday hotspot love the lifestyle, but say accessing specialist medical help is difficult. Use our interactive tool to find out the state of your area’s health.

  • Henrietta Cook, Aisha Dow and Craig Butt
An emergency physician treats a patient at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
  • Editorial

Better health cannot only be about more hospitals

A new census question has provided insights into where health issues are most prevalent. We need such data when deciding how best to keep people well.

  • The Age's View

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