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Australia’s health 2022: data insights is a collection of 10 in-depth articles on selected health topics, including a focus on the health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of the health system over the last 100 years, and the importance of a strong evidence base for supporting the health of Australians.

Australia’s health 2022 is the 18th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This edition's full product suite comprises:

Findings from this report:

  • Use of mental health services increased during the pandemic, particularly for younger people

  • 30% of COVID-19-related deaths since the start of the pandemic have been in residential aged care

  • Health data are critical for supporting long-term improvements in health and health care for Australians

  • COVID-19 death rates were 2.5 times as high for people born overseas as those born in Australia

Health reflects the complex interplay between a person’s genetic make up, family environment, and social and economic conditions. It is also affected by their perceptions, emotions and behaviours.

This edition of Australia’s health 2022: data insights examines important issues related to our health and health system.

The 10 articles that make up this report are presented as chapters – each showing the crucial role that data play in measuring, understanding, and improving the health of Australians.

PDF chapter summaries

This article examines the direct impacts of COVID-19 in Australia – including the number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths – from the start of the pandemic until April 2022.

It explores patterns of morbidity and mortality for population groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, aged care facility residents, and people living in rural and remote areas. 

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 1 (PDF, 1.16MB)