Use of antiresorptive agents for osteoporosis management
There is no cure for osteoporosis but antiresorptive drugs can reduce further bone loss and slow down disease progression. This report provide information on both the individual and community use of antiresorptive drugs for managing osteoporosis as well as trends in the supply of and expenditure for these medications.
Population differences in health-care use for arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia
This report presents differences in health-care use for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis between population groups. The report suggests that, among those with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, females are more likely to take actions to manage their condition and have a lower rate of joint replacement than males. The report also suggests that complimentary medicines that may slow the progression of these conditions are used at a lower rate in the lowest socioeconomic group compared to the highest socioeconomic group.
National breastfeeding indicators: workshop report
This report presents the outcomes of a consensus workshop held on 8 December 2010 in Canberra, regarding core national breastfeeding indicators to support the monitoring of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2010-2015 and related policies and programs.
End-stage kidney disease in Australia: total incidence, 2003-2007
The incidence of end-stage kidney disease is an important indicator of the health of the Australian population and valuable for healthcare planning. In the past we have been limited to counting only individuals treated with dialysis or transplant. However it is recognised that many people with end-stage kidney disease might not receive these treatments for a variety of reasons.This report presents a new method for counting the total incidence of end-stage kidney disease which also includes those not treated with dialysis or transplant. This method indicates that for every new case treated with dialysis or transplant there is one that is not, although the vast majority of these are elderly.
Key indicators of progress for chronic disease and associated determinants: data report
With preventive health now a major focus of health reform in Australia, this report provides information about the prevalence of those chronic diseases for which behavioural changes, or increased screening practices, can reduce onset, assist in management, or prevent death. The report contains current prevalence rates, and where possible, shows trends in chronic conditions over time.Statistics about the determinants of chronic disease assist in planning of prevention programs and strategies. When monitored over time, they may also help explain and predict any changes in chronic disease trends.
The health of Australia's males
Drawing on a wide range of data sources, this report provides a snapshot of the health of Australia's males. Examples of the report's detailed findings include: males born between 2007-2009 can expect to live 24 years longer than males born between 1901-1910;around two-thirds of adult males and one-quarter of boys are overweight or obese;nearly half have ever had a mental health condition; nearly one-quarter have a disability and nearly one-third have a chronic health condition; 16% of males do not use any Medicare services in a year.
Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2011
This report is the fourth in a series of national statistical reports on young people aged 12-24 years, produced by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It provides the latest available information on how Australia's young people are faring according to a set of national indicators of health and wellbeing. Death rates have fallen considerably among young people, mainly due to declines in injury deaths. Most young people are achieving national minimum standards for reading, writing and numeracy, are fully engaged in study or work, and have strong support networks. There are some favourable trends in risk and protective factors, such as declines in smoking and illicit substance use. But it is not all good news. There is a high rate of mental disorders among young people, and road transport accidents, although continuing to decline, are still a major cause of death among young males. Too many young people are overweight or obese, are not doing sufficient physical activity or eating enough fruit and vegetables, and are drinking alcohol at risky levels. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are far more likely to be disadvantaged across a broad range of indicators.
Mandatory folic acid and iodine fortification in Australia and New Zealand: baseline report for monitoring
This report presents key baseline data for monitoring mandatory folic acid and iodine fortification in Australia and New Zealand. Data are presented for each component of the fortification monitoring frameworks as follows: food compositionfolic acid and iodine intakefolic acid and iodine status of the populations and health outcomes.
The use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for the management of rheumatoid arthritis
Disease and modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are now considered first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). When initiated early, they have been shown to alter the disease course and reduce joint erosion, reducing or preventing disability and improving quality of life.
Health and the environment: a compilation of evidence
There is increasing awareness that our health and the environment in which we live are closely linked. This report compiles evidence on the relationship between health and a selected list of environmental factors including `natural' features (such as temperature and ultraviolet radiation) and aspects of our surroundings which have been created by humans (such as housing and transport).The results of this compilation highlight that: our surroundings can influence our physical health and mental wellbeing through a variety of channelshealth and wellbeing may be affected in both positive and negative wayshumans, through their intervention in the environment, can play a vital role in exacerbating or reducing health risks.As the pathways involved can be indirect and complex, this report also examines some of the difficulties involved in assessing the broader relationship between health and the environment.
Time trends and geographical variation in re-admissions for asthma in Australia
Re-admissions for asthma can be considered an indicator of health system performance in relation to the management of patients with asthma. This bulletin examines the overall rate of re-admissions for asthmas in Australian and investigates time trends in re-admissions for asthmas as well as differences according to age, sex, socioeconomic status and remoteness of residence.
2009 Adult Vaccination Survey: summary results
The 2009 Adult Vaccination Survey forms part of the evaluations of two vaccine programs for older Australia. The first is the National Influenza Vaccination Program for Older Australians, which commenced in 1999; and the second is the National Pneumococcal Vaccination Program for Older Australians which commenced on 1 January 2005. The survey showed that in 2009, 74.6% (2.2 million) Australians aged 65 years or over were vaccinated against influenza. However, only 54.4% (1.6 million) older Australians were currently vaccinated against pneumococcal.
Premature mortality from chronic disease
This bulletin uses potential years of life lost to describe mortality patterns for deaths due to chronic disease. It shows that most premature deaths were due to chronic disease. The leading cause of premature mortality among females was breast cancer and among males it was coronary heart disease. Further, the bulletin highlights that a large proportion of premature chronic disease deaths were also potentially avoidable.
Use of health services for arthritis and osteoporosis
There is considerable variation in the type and extent of health services used and actions taken to manage the three conditions. While the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is primarily focused on reducing pain and slowing down disease progression, the focus in the case of osteoporosis is largely on containing its role as a risk factor for fractures and other associated complications.
Australia's mothers and babies 2008
In 2008, 292,156 women gave birth to 296,925 babies in Australia. The increase in births continued, with 2,720 more births (0.9%) than reported in 2007. This is the second year that the rate of caesarean section has not significantly increased with a 0.2% rise from 30.9% in 2007 to 31.1% in 2008.
Weight loss surgery in Australia
This report shows that there was a substantial increase in weight loss surgery in Australia, from approximately 500 separations in 1998-99 to 17,000 in 2007-08. In 2007-08, 90% of separations for weight loss surgery were in private hospitals, with private health insurance funding 82% of separations. In 2007-08, the estimated cost of hospital care for weight loss surgery was $108 million-approximately $15.2 million in benefits was paid through the Medicare Benefits Schedule for weight loss surgery-related procedures.
Electoral roll matching project
This brief report shows that it is feasible to access telephone listings for surveys by using the Australian electoral roll databases as a starting point. Around 52% of records sampled from the electoral rolls were matched with the Sensis MacroMatch service to append a current home or mobile telephone number.
A snapshot of arthritis in Australia 2010
This snapshot brings together the latest data on arthritis in Australia. The purpose of the snapshot is to provide the latest statistical information in a timely and efficient manner.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services Report, 2008-09: OATSIH Services Reporting - Key Results
The main findings from the 2008-09 OATSIH Services Reporting data collection show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander:- primary health care services provided 2.1 million episodes of health care to around 375,000 clients- substance use specific services provided treatment and assistance to address substance use issues to about 23,200 clients- Bringing Them Home and Link Up counselling services provided counselling to about 8,400 clients.
2010 Pandemic Vaccination Survey: summary results
This report presents results from the 2010 Pandemic Vaccination Survey conducted in January and February 2010 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report provides estimates of swine flu vaccination uptake by Australians, along with the motivation for, and barriers to, vaccination. The survey showed that the swine flu vaccine uptake as of February 2010 was estimated at 18.1% (or about 3.9 million people). Some of the reasons why people wanted to get vaccinated include the seriousness of swine flu (24.7%), doctor's advice (16.8%), employment-related reasons (13.7%) and being in an 'at risk' group (10.9%).
Chronic kidney disease hospitalisations in Australia 2000-01 to 2007-08
In 2007-08, chronic kidney disease (CKD) contributed to 15% (nearly 1.2 million) of all hospitalisations in Australia, one million of which were for regular dialysis. Indigenous Australians were hospitalised at 11 times the rate of other Australians for regular dialysis, and at 5 times the rate for other principal and additional CKD diagnoses. Hospitalisations for regular dialysis increased by an average of 60,000 per year between 2000-01 and 2007-08, equating to a 71% increase over this period. Increases of 12% for other principal diagnoses of CKD and 48% for additional diagnoses were also recorded.
Mental health services in Australia 2007-08
Mental Health Services in Australia 2007-08 is the twelfth in the series of annual reports providing a detailed picture of the national response to the mental health care needs of Australians. Details from a wide range of data sources for the 2007-08 period, and where available 2008-09, are presented, as are changes over time. Expenditure on state and territory mental health services has been increasing on average by 6% per year (adjusted for inflation) since 2003-04, states and territories spent $3,323 million on these services in 2007-08. There were 4.6 million Medicare claims for subsidised psychiatrist, psychologist and other allied health professional services in 2008-09, an increase of 17.4% from the previous year.
The health of Australia's prisoners 2009
The health of Australia's prisoners 2009 is the culmination of several years' development of national indicators in relation to prisoner health in Australia. This first national report shows that prisoners in Australia have poor health compared to the general community. A week-long snapshot of prison entrants in Australia during 2009 showed: 25% had a chronic condition (such as asthma, cardiovascular disease or diabetes); 81% were current smokers; 52% consumed alcohol at risky levels; and 71% had used illicit drugs during the previous 12 months; 37% of prison entrants reported having received a mental health diagnosis at some time, 43% had received a head injury resulting in a loss of consciousness, and 31% had been referred to prison mental health services. The report also contains data relating to communicable diseases, educational attainment, deaths in custody, the use of health services and the types of medications used by prisoners.
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory diseases in Australia
In 2004-05, Australia spent $3.3 billion directly on the management of respiratory conditions. In 2007-08, general practitioners managed respiratory problems more than any other condition and in 2006 conditions of the respiratory system were the third most common underlying causes of death. This report presents the epidemiology of each of the main respiratory conditions and highlights their differences and similarities. The conditions addressed include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, influenza, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, pneumoconiosis and sleep apnoea.
Risk factors and participation in work
This report builds on the previous AIHW report Chronic disease and participation in work by showing the association between risk factors and participation in work.In 2004-05, nearly all (96%) working-age people in Australia reported one health risk factor, and three-quarters reported more than one. People who reported three or more risk factors were significantly more likely to not participate in the labour force compared with those who reported no risk factors. Absentee rates for people who reported a risk factor and a chronic disease were significantly higher compared with people reporting no risk factors and no chronic disease.This report is a further reminder of the importance of reducing risk factor prevalence to lessen the impact of future chronic disease among working-age people.