The report analyzed the state and needs of the population under NSCCAH. In a wider context, it juxtaposes the results with those of the whole New South Wales allowing the paper to remain useful in health service planning. The division of NSCCAH into four separate Health Services – with borders between them being not only geographic but also historic and socio-economic – gives structure to the report, at the same time helping to underline that what is referred to as “medical geography.” This usually depends on the same factors that constitute the traditional ones.
The analytic part of the paper begins with a detailed study of Central Coast Health Service population profile, in comparison to those of NSW. It points to the differences in the drivers of the population’s growth and also shows that various age group demographics differ in different areas (with retired people and young families being the most common residents of CC). Most importantly, it extracts the reasons for population changes in relation to particular age groups. Three main causes mentioned are fertility, deaths and residual population flow. It begins by explaining where and why the presented data might not be accurate.
This part is followed by a critical analysis of changes in different age groups and implications of those processes to health care services. The paper predicts further decrease in birth rate. Additionally, the paper predicts that an increasing number of teenagers and young adults will result in a bigger demand for mental health services, whereas a rapid growth in the 55-69 group will mean more cardiovascular and pulmonological diseases. One of the crucial conclusions is the need to invest in promoting healthy activities which could help deal with the health challenges. The paper describes a generally pessimistic look, especially noting a significant increase in 80-84 and 85+ age groups, both of which require advanced services for frail aged.
The report then presents an analysis of socio-economic factors, again contrasting it with the rest of NSW. It notes that there are more married couples in NSCCAH, a factor which makes household structure among young people more effective. However, there are also more aged people living alone. It also analyses the importance of cultural background with detailed information on the number of foreigners and a variety of languages being spoken on the terrain of NSCCAH.
The paper emphasizes the role of employment and shows how it differs in each Health Service Area with some of them being a residence to more citizens on managerial posts and others housing a bigger number of manual workers. It also studies a myriad other aspects of the matter, mainly those connected with the lifestyle of people under NSCCAH. The results clearly show what should be improved. For example, every Health Service should encourage a healthy diet and more physical activity. Another crucial conclusion is that there is a need to level the health care availability between those of low and high socio-economic status.