Overview

Chronic diseases are long lasting conditions with persistent effects. Their social and economic consequences can impact on peoples’ quality of life. Chronic diseases are becoming increasingly common and are a priority for action in the health sector. AIHW commonly reports on 8 major groups: arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and mental health conditions.

More reports and statistics on chronic disease can be found under Burden of disease, Biomedical risk factors and Life expectancy & deaths.

Latest findings

Insufficient physical activity, dietary risks and high blood pressure are also key chronic disease risk factors Tobacco smoking, obesity & excessive alcohol consumption increase the likelihood of developing numerous chronic diseases 63% of the burden due to overweight and obesity was from fatal burden rather than non-fatal burden 7% of the total health burden in Australia was due to overweight and obesity 53% of diabetes burden was due to overweight and obesity 45% of osteoarthritis burden was due to overweight and obesity 84% of the burden due to overweight and obesity was experienced between ages 45–84

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Highlights

1 in 2 Australians(47%) had 1 or more of 10 selected chronic conditions in 2017–18
1 in 2 hospitalisations(51%) in 2017–18 involved 1 of the 10 selected chronic conditions
Nearly 9 in 10(89%) of deaths in 2018 were associated with the 10 chronic diseases
1 in 5 Australians(20%) had 2 or more of the 10 selected chronic conditions in 2017–18
Ratesof chronic conditions were higher for adults in the lowest socioeconomic areas