Health and health services in Australia in 2004 rate a 'very
good to very good plus' according to the nation's two-yearly health
report card.
Australia's Health 2004, the 530-page biennial health
report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, says
reasons for the rating include continuing improvements in life
expectancy, falls in death rates from many diseases and health
conditions, and high quality health services.
The report was launched today by the Minister for Health and
Ageing, Tony Abbott, at the opening of the AIHW's two-day 'Vital
Statistics Vital Signs' conference, at the National Library of
Australia.
The report also shows that while we should be pleased with the
overall improvements in health, lifestyle-related risk factors such
as insufficient physical activity, obesity and type 2 diabetes are
taking their toll, smoking remains a public health challenge, and
there is still no evidence that the health of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples is improving.
In terms of life expectancy, often called the 'universal health
indicator', Australia is among the best in the world, with an
average life expectancy of 80 years, 77 years for men and 83 years
for women.
And Australia has continued to see declining death rates from
cardiovascular disease and cancer, although these diseases are
still the nation's biggest killers. There has been a steadying of
the incidence of asthma in children since the early 1990s, and
continued improvements in vaccination rates. Injury death rates
continue to fall, with the rate of suicide for 15-24-year-old males
in 2002 the lowest since 1984.
However, lifestyle factors may limit the extent of further
improvements, says Dr Paul Magnus, the AIHW's Medical Adviser and
editor of Australia's Health 2004.
'We have seen a doubling of the prevalence of diabetes over the
past 20 years, 1 in 5 adults are now classed as obese, 1 in 2 have
high blood cholesterol levels and 1 in 5 are still smoking
daily.
'Australians are also enjoying the couch too much, with more
than 50% of adults not exercising enough to have any real health
benefit. About 1 in 6 adults report doing virtually no leisure-time
exercise at all.
'At least with smoking we've been gradually moving in the right
direction for decades. The challenge, and no-one is saying it is
easy, is how to get the nation as a whole moving their bodies more,
and eating better.'
In the meantime Australia's ageing population is shifting the
dynamics of problems managed and services offered, says AIHW
Director Dr Richard Madden.
'Australia's Health 2004 includes a special chapter on
the health of older Australians. This age group, currently 12.7% of
the total population, is projected to nearly double over the next
20 years.
'The lifespan from 65 onwards covers a large age range and
potentially very diverse needs, so in our publication we have
resisted treating all people over 65 as one group, and instead have
covered the 65 to 74s, 75 to 84s, and the 85 and overs.'
Dr Madden said that 11% of people aged 65-74 and 26% of those
aged 75-84 had a severe or profound disability.
'This demonstrates the need for emphasis on healthy ageing as we
address issues around health and welfare services for older
people.'
Resourcing and performance of health services is comprehensively
covered in Australia's Health 2004. Expenditure, workforce
issues and use of all types of health services are fully
described.
'Overall, the picture that emerges is of a high quality health
system serving the bulk of the population well, but under pressure
to deliver even more,' Dr Madden said.
'Internationally, Australia's health system rates very well. We
need to work hard to maintain and improve our performance, but at
the same time keep our difficulties in perspective.
'Australia's Health 2004 coherently describes all
aspects of Australia's complex health system and its performance in
one volume. It brings issues together in a way designed to inform
policy makers, service providers, consumers and interested citizens
alike.'
22 June 2004
Enquiries about the content of the
report:
Director, AIHW: Dr Richard Madden, 02 6244 1101; 0419 208
152
AIHW Medical Adviser: Dr Paul Magnus, 02 6244 1149; 0407 915
851
Head, AIHW Health Division: Dr Ching Choi, 02 6244 1168; 0407 928
523
General media enquiries:
Nigel Harding, 02 6244 1025; 0409 307 671 or
Janine Martin, 02 6244 1012; 0419 239 582
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032 or refer to the Media Highlights Summary.
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of Australia's
Health 2004, June 2004.