Australia’s health 2020: snapshots

Health is not just the presence or absence of disease or injury—more holistically, it is a state of wellbeing. These snapshots consider how healthy we are as a nation and look at some specific causes of ill health in Australia.

Health systems play a crucial role in health and can help to reduce the burden that ill health places on the community. Australia’s health system is a complex mix of programs and services delivered by a range of health professionals.

A person’s health is closely linked to the conditions in which they live and work. Factors such as socioeconomic position, educational attainment and lifestyle behaviours can affect the health of individuals and communities.

Health outcomes and experiences are not the same for everyone. These snapshots explore the different health experiences of some population groups in Australia.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, good health is more than the absence of disease or illness; it is a holistic concept that includes physical, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual and ecological wellbeing, for both the individual and the community.