Every year in Australia, millions of years of healthy life are lost because of injury, illness or premature deaths. This loss of healthy life is called the ‘burden of disease’. Information on burden of disease and injuries is important for monitoring population health and provides an evidence base to inform health policy and service planning.
The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2023 includes national estimates for 220 diseases and injuries in 2023 based on projections using historical trends in data.
- Cat. no: BOD 39
-
In 2023, cancers as a group caused the most burden (17%), followed by mental health & substance use disorders (15%)
-
The age-standardised rate of total disease burden decreased by 11% between 2003 and 2023
-
Burden due to anxiety disorders increased by 33% between 2003 and 2023
-
Coronary heart disease, dementia, back pain, anxiety disorders and COPD were the top 5 diseases causing burden in 2023