Mid-North LHC Calendar

Mid-North Local Health Cluster Calendar

The Mid North Local Health Cluster (MNLHC) successfully applied for a grant to create and develop a health calendar promoting local supports and services. The health initiatives focused on the areas of Aboriginal Health, Aged Care, Mental Health, and Population Health with the aim of raising health literacy and local service awareness. The cluster’s key target markets were families and the ageing.

The free calendar was distributed throughout the community, including general practices, hospitals, Councils and community groups and events and throughout the Mid North townships of Jamestown, Peterborough, Yunta, Orroroo, Booleroo Centre, Laura, Gladstone and Crystal Brook, Melrose, Wirrabara, Spalding, Wilmington, and Carrieton. The calendar was also promoted on social media, including providing further information on each of the monthly themes.

The Mid North community has an ageing population, above the state average. The demographic profile of Peterborough indicates significant levels of disadvantage when compared with the state average. In the 2021 March quarter, the unemployment rate at a regional level was 7.2%. In 2016, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at a regional level was 3.4% this is lower than the state average (except for Peterborough which was higher).

According to the Public Health Information Development Unit, 2018, 13% of South Australians have asthma, which is higher than the national average. Admissions to hospitals due to asthma in the Mid North are 45% higher than the South Australian average and are the highest figures in the country. As well as taking into account the region’s health profile the MNLHC consulted with local health professionals to determine appropriate content.

The calendar helped the cluster to raise and build an expanded profile of the group within the community. It also created awareness about topical health literacy and wellness acting as a gentle reminder to encourage behaviour change in mid north communities. Overall, the calendar helped the cluster improve health and wellness awareness within their footprint. The concept was so well supported that the MNLHC has successfully applied to create a 2023 calendar. The calendar helped the cluster to raise and build an expanded profile of the group within the community. It also created awareness about topical health literacy and wellness acting as a gentle reminder to encourage behaviour change in mid north communities.