The AIHW's sixth biennial report on Australia's health and
health services, Australia's health 1998, will be launched
by the Minister for Health and Family Services, Dr Michael
Wooldridge, at the NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE, CONSTITUTION AVENUE,
CANBERRA ON THURSDAY 25 JUNE 1998 AT 10 AM.
The launch is being held as part of an all-day conference on
Australia's health. Media representatives are invited to attend
both functions. A press kit will be available at the National
Convention Centre and report authors will be available for
interview.
The document will be tabled in Parliament and 'boxed' at the
Parliament House press gallery on the same day. (Release under
embargo prior to the tabling date is not permitted.)
Australia's health 1998 is the nation's most
authoritative source of information on patterns of health and
illness, the supply and use of health services, and their cost and
performance.
The report shows that in spite of continuing public debates on
health funding and hospital funding and services in particular,
Australia is one of the healthiest countries in the world-and
Australians are becoming even healthier. This is shown by
increasing life expectancy, a low rate of life-threatening
infectious diseases and, for most people, ready access to health
care when needed.
The report shows, however, that there is room for improvement in
a number of areas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
remains poor by any standard, and the health status of people
living in rural and remote areas is significantly lower than for
city-dwellers.
In addition, available data show that we are still a nation of
'Norms'-the incidence of obesity and overweight continues to rise,
while Australians have shown little desire to increase their
generally low levels of physical activity.
A three-page selection of
facts from the 350-page report is attached.
25 June 1998
Further information: Geoff Sims, Head, Health
Division, tel. 02 6244 1168, mob. 0419 239 582.
For general media enquiries: Nigel Harding,
Head, Communication and Public Affairs, tel. 02 6244 1025 (w) or 02
6282 0639 (h), mob. 014 688 834
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of Australia's health
1998.