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Obesity in Australia now requires larger ambulances

by Grant Martin (RSS feed) on Mar 10th 2008 at 9:30AM

Any health professional will tell you about the epidemic of obesity that is sweeping the country. With over thirty percent of the populous in this category, health care costs are skyrocketing, diabetes is becoming more common and the situation is spiraling out of control.

Apparently we're not the only country with these problems. The crisis in Australia has gotten so out of hand that they had to start ordering "mega-lift" ambulances to accommodate patients. Apparently, the occurrence of passengers too large to fit inside of the vehicles became so common that they had no choice but to get larger units. Each mega-lift ambulance is fitted with reinforced stretchers, special wheelchairs and wider cabins, all at three times the cost of a regular vehicle.

Looking through the statistical data on obesity around the world, I was surprised at the percentages of Australians in this category. This year, over half of the adult population in the country is classified as obese, a staggering 7.4 million individuals.

I wonder when the airlines will catch on and start making wider seats?

Filed under: Activism, Australia, News, Travel Health

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