Chronic disease and participation in work
With the Australian population ageing and experiencing increasing rates of some risk factors such as obesity, chronic disease prevalence is on the rise. Chronic disease can result in functional limitation and disability associated with ill health. As a result, people with chronic disease may be limited in their ability to participate fully in the workforce. For this report, the 2004-05 National Health Survey has been used to assess the association between selected chronic diseases and workforce participation and absenteeism from work. The report also includes an estimate of the loss to the workforce due to death from selected chronic diseases. This report is a timely reminder of the cost of chronic disease to both the community and economy and provides further evidence for national action to prevent chronic disease.
Outline of the National Centre for Monitoring Chronic Kidney Disease
In late 2007 the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare established the National Centre for Monitoring Chronic Kidney Disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common chronic disease in Australia. The disease is highly preventable and progression can be slowed by controlling common risk factors and by improving disease treatment and management.The burden of CKD in Australia is expected to rise. Work in this area is critical for improving capacity to assess the health impact of CKD, evaluate progress in disease prevention and management, and therefore provide evidence for developing policy to reduce the associated burden and outcomes for people at risk of or living with CKD. There is considerable potential for health, social and economic gains through CKD monitoring. This report is intended to be a brief outline of the rationale for and role of the National Centre for Monitoring Chronic Kidney Disease. It outlines the rationale behind starting a national monitoring centre, the structure of the centre, key areas of monitoring and major data sources to be used for monitoring.
Arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia 2008
Arthritis and osteoporosis are among the world's leading causes of pain and disability, and impose a substantial burden on the Australian community. These highly prevalent conditions are major reasons for the use of health and allied health services, community assistance programs, and formal and informal care. Under the National Health Priority Area of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, national action is focused on osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis and osteoporosis. This report brings together data and information from a wide variety of sources to provide a picture of arthritis and ostoeporosis in Australia, and highlight some of the main issues relating to these conditions. The report should be useful to policy makers, the broader community, and anyone with an interest in arthritis and osteoporosis.
Review and evaluation of Australian information about primary health care: a focus on general practice
Primary health care services are generally the first port of call when Australians need health care. Services provided through general practice are the core of Australia's primary health-care system, and it is vital that accurate, reliable and timely information about these services is available to support policy and practice decisions. Although several national and regional data collections contain information relevant to general practice, few sources provide comprehensive information that can be used to assess the value, quality and outcomes of the care provided. This leads to significant gaps in our understanding of the performance and effectiveness of the Australian primary health-care system.This report presents the results of a critical evaluation of Australian data collections relating to general practice services. It describes the usefulness of these data collections for meeting priority information needs, and recommends strategies to address data gaps and limitations. The report also outlines methods currently being used to collect general practice data electronically, and establishes options for further investigation.
Juvenile arthritis in Australia
Juvenile arthritis is one of the common chronic diseases affecting Australian children. The disease contributes significantly to ill health, affecting growth and skeletal maturity of children. The life course of the disease entails a variety of complications, activity limitations and need for regular support and care. This report brings together the latest data to highlight the impact of juvenile arthritis in Australia. It includes information on the prevalence, associated disability and management of the disease. The information should be useful to the broader community, policy makers and anyone with an interest in the health of children.
Asthma in Australia 2008
Asthma is an important health problem in Australia. This report brings together data from a wide range of sources to describe the current status of asthma in Australia. It includes information on the number of people who have asthma and who visit their GP, are hospitalised or die due to asthma. Time trends and profiles of people who receive various treatments for asthma are also presented, along with information on those who have written asthma action plans. In addition, comorbidities and quality of life among people with asthma are investigated. This report also includes a chapter that focuses on asthma among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Making progress: the health, development and wellbeing of Australia's children and young people
Ensuring that children get the best possible start in life is a key priority for the Australian Government. This report delivers the latest and most reliable information on how, as a nation, we are faring according to key statistical indicators of child and youth health, development and wellbeing. The report covers children and young people aged 0-19 years, and includes indicators for the entire 0-19 year age range as well as indicators for three different stages of development: 1) infancy and early childhood; 2) school age childhood; and 3) adolescence. Information is presented on important issues such as mental health, disability, risk factors for chronic disease, mortality, education, homelessness, crime, jobless families and family economic situation. Particular attention is given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth, and to how Australia compares internationally. This is an essential resource for policy makers, researchers, practitioners and anyone interested in the progress of Australia's children and youth.
Eye health in Australia: a hospital perspective
Reducing preventable vision loss has recently been identified as a priority by Australian governments and non-government organisations. Eye health in Australia: a hospital perspective is the first in a series of national reports providing an overview of eye health in Australia. The report presents information about the treatment of eye disorders in Australian hospitals. This includes trends in hospitalisations, differences across population groups, treatment costs, and waiting times. The report is a valuable resource for policy makers, health professionals, advocacy groups and others interested in knowing more about eye health in Australia.
Mental health services in Australia 2005-06
Mental health services in Australia 2005-06 is the ninth in the series of AIHW's comprehensive annual reports on the characteristics and activity of Australia's mental health services. Details from a wide range of data sources for the 2005-06 period are presented, together with changes over time.Information on mental health care provided by a range of services is detailed. Included are ambulatory services (such as community-based services, emergency departments, private psychiatrists, allied health professionals and general practitioners), hospital and residential services and other services (such as supported accommodation services) In addition, information is provided on mental health-related prescriptions and mental health resources such as facilities, workforce and expenditure.Where possible, comprehensive data are provided for each state and territory, and comparisons are made between population groups (including Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and overseas-born and Australian-born people).This report is a useful resource for health planners, policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers and others with an interest in mental health in Australia.
Occupational asthma in Australia
This bulletin includes a discussion of the monitoring and surveillance of the disease and its risk factors.
2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results
2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: first results presents summary data collected in Australia's most comprehensive national survey of drug use and related issues. Comparisons with previous surveys are presented, along with population estimates of the numbers of consumers of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. Key results on drug-related awareness, knowledge and behaviour are features of this report. This report is the 20th in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Drug Statistics Series. Future reports in the series will cover extended analysis of the 2007 results and a comprehensive summary of major drug use statistical collections. This report and others in the series are useful resources for policy-makers, researchers and professionals interested in drug-related issues.
Indicators for chronic diseases and their determinants 2008
'Indicators for chronic diseases and their determinants, 2008' is the third in a series of reports on chronic disease released by the AIHW. It is the first report that aligns information about chronic diseases with selected national health indicators. Importantly, the report highlights where indicators for chronic diseases do not exist, and where data to report against current indicators are lacking. The report is a vital resource for policy makers, researchers and others interested in chronic diseases, their associated risk factors, and the indicators that enable them to be measured in Australia.
Statistical methods for monitoring asthma
This statistical procedure manual documents and shares the experience of the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring (ACAM) in analysing national asthma-specific population data. Since its formation in 2002, ACAM have undertaken extensive analyses of a wide range of administrative and population health data to monitor asthma in Australia. In this manual, the approaches developed by ACAM for interrogating large population datasets from the point of receipt until delivery of final analyses are documented. It is anticipated that the principles applied in relation to interrogating data for asthma monitoring purposes will also be applicable to other chronic disease areas.
Australian asthma indicators: five-year review of asthma monitoring in Australia
In 2004, the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring reviewed the proposal indicators for monitoring asthma in Australia and published a set of recommended indicators. An accompanying data development plan was published in 2005. This report reviews the outcomes of the indicator review, the lessons learnt through experience with various data sources, progress so far with asthma data development and where national asthma monitoring might go in the future.
A picture of osteoarthritis in Australia
Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease, causing large amounts of disability and pain in the Australian community. Osteoarthritis impacts on the mental health and quality of life of people with the disease. There are a number of risk factors for osteoarthritis including excess weight or obesity, joint injury, repetitive kneeling or squatting and repetitive heavy lifting. Osteoarthritis can be effectively managed with medication, exercise and in some cases surgery. This report brings together the latest data to highlight the impact of osteoarthritis in Australia. The report includes information on the causes, treatment and management of the disease. The information included in the report should be useful to the broader community, policy makers and anyone with an interest in osteoarthritis.
Impairments and disability associated with arthritis and osteoporosis
Arthritis and osteoporosis are major sources of pain, activity limitations and functional restrictions, in particular among older Australians. At an individual level and for their carers, the experience of these diseases and conditions is catastrophic overshadowing daily activities. Regional musculoskeletal limitations not only threaten autonomy but also impede the work capacity. This report from the AIHW National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions outlines both the individual and societal impact of arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia.
Comorbidity of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease in Australia
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease are three common and serious illnesses in Australia. These three diseases have shared common risk factors, and often occur together. The National Centre for Monitoring Cardiovascular Disease and the National Centre for Monitoring Diabetes have collaborated to investigate the association of these diseases and their impact on Australians' health and health systems. This report is the first output of this project, and it focuses on examining the current extent of comorbidity of the conditions from three perspectives: self-reported prevalence, hospitalisation and deaths.
Sentinel events in Australian public hospitals 2004-05
Sentinel events in public hospitals 2004-05 is the first joint publication of the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report presents data on the number and nature of sentinel events occurring in Australian hospitals over the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005 and the factors that contributed to these serious adverse events. This is the first report of its kind to draw together data on sentinel events from all states and territories and paves the way for national reporting of health care safety and quality information to inform policy responses and initiatives.
Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007
'Young Australians: their health and wellbeing 2007' is the third national statistical report on young people in Australia. Using a set of key indicators of health and wellbeing of young people, this report brings together the most up-to-date national data on the health status of young Australians aged 12-24 years and the factors influencing their health. Information on health status includes self-assessed health status, disability, injury, mental health, chronic disease, communicable diseases, hospitalisations and mortality. Factors influencing health addressed in this report include family and community environments, environmental factors, socioeconomic factors including education, employment and income and health behaviours such as weight, physical activity, nutrition and substance use. This report also includes a special section on the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Timely, comprehensive and accurate information on these factors will enable the formulation of appropriate and effective policies and interventions to achieve long term health and wellbeing for young people.
The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003
'The burden of disease and injury in Australia 2003' provides a comprehensive assessment of the health status of Australians. The report measures mortality, disability, impairment, illness and injury arising from 176 diseases, injuries and risk factors using a common metric, the disability-adjusted life year or DALY, and methods developed by the Global Burden of Disease Study. Burden of disease analysis gives a unique perspective on health. Fatal and non-fatal outcomes are integrated, but can be examined separately as well. This report provides detailed estimates of the burden of mortality and disability for each disease and injury category by sex and age. It also assesses the burden attributable to each of 14 major risk factors, and inequalities in the disease burden associated with socioeconomic disadvantage.
Survey questions for monitoring national asthma indicators
This report provides a recommended module of survey questions that can be used to monitor national asthma indicators. This is to assist those who are conducting surveys to select reliable questions that can be used to collect key information about asthma such as prevalence, management issues, level of disease control and impacts of the disease on the health system and individuals.
Patterns of asthma medication use in Australia
Drug therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for controlling asthma and preventing and relieving attacks. This report describes the first study to use national data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to investigate the patterns of asthma medication use in Australia. It examines the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on the frequency of use of these medications, the potency of prescribed medications and the relationships between different classes of asthma medications. The methods used in this study are likely to be applicable to researchers investigating medication use for other conditions and diseases. The results will also be of interest to clinicians and policy makers in asthma.
A guide to Australian eye health data
A guide to Australian eye health data describes key Australian data collections which indicate the prevalence and outcomes of eye diseases and injuries and eye health care utilisation. It assesses how these collections inform the National Framework for Action to Promote Eye Health and Prevent Avoidable Blindness and Vision Loss. The report also presents a discussion on the key definitional issues surrounding eye health terminology and presents useful information for the development of future performance indicators in eye health.
.jpg)
Asthma in Australia: findings from the 2004-05 National Health Survey
This report presents asthma results from the 2004-05 National Health Survey. The National Health Survey is conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics every three years and currently provides the only nation-wide source of self-reported experiences with asthma including prevalence, management, quality of life and health-related behaviours. This report makes comparisons between people with and without asthma, investigates the effect of social and demographic characteristics and compares the findings from this, most recent, survey with those the previous National Health Survey conducted in 2001. It will be of value to all those interested in having updated information on the status of asthma in Australia, such as those involved in asthma care and government policy makers.
Atlas of avoidable hospitalisations in Australia: ambulatory care-sensitive conditions
Avoidable hospitalisations represent a range of conditions for which hospitalisation should be able to beavoided because the disease or condition has been prevented from occurring, or because individuals have had access to timely and effective primary care. This report addresses the level and extent of regional variation in Australia in a sub-set of avoidable hospitalisations, namely those arising from ambulatory care-sensitive (ACS) conditions.