Glossary


administrative data collection
A data set that results from the information collected for the purposes of delivering a service or paying the provider of the service. This type of collection is usually complete (all in-scope events are collected), but it may not be fully suitable for population-level analysis because the data are collected primarily for an administrative purpose.
age structure
The relative number of people in each age group in a population.
age-standardisation
A way to remove the influence of age when comparing populations with different age structures. This is usually necessary because the rates of many diseases vary strongly (usually increasing) with age. The age structures of the different populations are converted to the same 'standard' structure, and then the disease rates that would have occurred with that structure are calculated and compared.
age-standardised proportion
The age structures of the different populations are converted to the same 'standard' structure, and then the proportions that would have occurred with that structure are calculated and compared. See proportion.
age-standardised rates
Incidence or prevalence rates that enable comparisons to be made between populations that have different age structures. The age structures of the different populations are converted to the same 'standard' structure, and then the rates that would have occurred with that structure are calculated and compared. Rates can be expressed in many ways, for example:
  • per 100,000 per population years
  • per 100,000 population
  • per 1,000 population.
allied health
A range of services provided by university qualified health practitioners with specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating a range of conditions and illnesses. The practitioners have autonomy of practice, a defined scope of practice, a regulatory mechanism and a national organisation with clearly defined entrance criteria. Examples include psychologists and physiotherapists. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of other allied health see Technical notes.
Alzheimer's disease
A degenerative brain disease caused by nerve cell death resulting in shrinkage of the brain. A form of dementia.
anaesthetics
Services that include the administration of, and management of a patient under, anaesthesia, as well as regional or field nerve blocks. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Anaesthetics see Technical notes.
Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System
An international structure of classifying active substances in medicines across 5 levels:


  • Level 1: anatomical main group (the organ or system in the body on which the substance's therapeutic effect takes place)
  • Level 2: pharmacological/ therapeutic subgroup
  • Level 3: chemical/ pharmacological/ therapeutic
  • Level 4: chemical/ pharmacological/ therapeutic
  • Level 5: chemical substance (this takes into account the medicine's therapeutic use as well as the formulation and route of administration).
angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBS), plain and combination
Medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) by dilating veins and arteries, and reducing the work of the heart.
antidepressants
Medication used relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and other conditions such as sleep disorders.
anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products – non-steroids
Medicines to treat arthritis and rheumatic conditions by reducing inflammation, joint swelling and stiffness.
anxiety disorders
A group of mental disorders marked by excessive feelings of apprehension, worry, nervousness and stress. Includes:
  • generalised anxiety disorder
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • panic disorder
  • post-traumatic stress disorder
  • various phobias.
arthritis
A group of disorders for which there is inflammation of the joints – which can then become stiff, painful, swollen or deformed. The 2 main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
asthma
A common, chronic inflammatory disease of the air passages that presents as episodes of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness due to widespread narrowing of the airways and obstruction of airflow.
beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins
Antibiotic medications used to treat bacterial infections.
beta blocking agents
Medicine to suppress certain signals that cause the heart to beat fast and hard.
broad type of service (BTOS)
A grouping of MBS services that relate to certain provider groups or services.
blood cholesterol
Fatty substance produced by the liver and carried by the blood to supply the rest of the body. Its natural function is to supply material for cell walls and for steroid hormones, but if levels in the blood become too high this can lead to atherosclerosis (build-up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels) and heart disease.
blood pressure
The force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped around the body by the heart. It is written, for example, as 134/70 mmHg, where the upper number is the systolic pressure (the maximum force against the arteries as the heart muscle contracts to pump the blood out) and the lower number is the diastolic pressure (the minimum force against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills again with blood). Levels of blood pressure can vary greatly from person to person and from moment to moment in the same person. See also high blood pressure/ hypertension.
blood glucose lowering drugs, excl insulins
Medications used to treat diabetes by lowering the glucose level in the blood.
bulk billing
The process where a medical practitioner or other health practitioner sends the bill for eligible services directly to Medicare, so the patient pays nothing. Also known as direct billing.
cancer (malignant neoplasm)
Cancer, also called malignancy, is a term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.
cardiovascular disease/ condition
Any disease of the cardiovascular system, namely the heart (cardio) or blood vessels (vascular). Includes angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Also known as circulatory disease.
cause of death
The causes of death entered on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death are all diseases, morbid conditions or injuries that either resulted in or contributed to death, and the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced any such injuries. Causes of death are commonly reported by the underlying cause of death. 
cerebrovascular disease
Any disorder of the blood vessels supplying the brain or its covering membranes. A notable and major form of cerebrovascular disease is stroke.
cholesterol
See blood cholesterol
chronic diseases/ conditions
A diverse group of diseases/ conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis, which tend to be long lasting and persistent in their symptoms or development. Although these features also apply to some communicable diseases, the term is usually confined to non-communicable diseases.
circulatory system
Includes the heart and blood vessels that distribute blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body to support physiological functions.
communicable disease
An infectious disease or illness that may be passed directly or indirectly from one person to another.
crude rate
See rate.
crude proportion

See proportion.

data linkage/ linked data
The bringing together (linking) of information from two or more different data sources that are believed to relate to the same entity (for example, the same individual or the same institution). This linkage can yield more information about the entity and, in certain cases, provide a time sequence – helping to 'tell a story', show 'pathways' and perhaps unravel cause and effect. The term is used synonymously with 'record linkage' and 'data integration'.
dementia
A term used to describe a group of similar conditions characterised by the gradual impairment of brain function. It is commonly associated with memory loss, but can affect speech, cognition (thought), behaviour and mobility. An individual's personality may also change, and health and functional ability decline as the condition progresses.
depression
A mood disorder with prolonged feelings of being sad, hopeless, low and inadequate, with a loss of interest or pleasure in activities and often with suicidal thoughts or self-blame. See also suicidal ideation.
diabetes (diabetes mellitus)
A chronic condition in which the body cannot properly use its main energy source, the sugar glucose. This is due to a relative or absolute deficiency in insulin, a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and helps glucose enter the body's cells from the bloodstream and then be processed by them. Diabetes is marked by an abnormal build-up of glucose in the blood, and it can have serious short- and long-term effects. For the 3 main types of diabetes see type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
diagnostic imaging
The production of diagnostic images, for example, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, X-rays, ultrasound and nuclear medicine scans. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Diagnostic imaging see Technical notes.
drugs for peptic ulcer and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Medication that reduces the amount of stomach acid that leaks into the oesophagus allowing ulcers to heal and preventing heartburn or gastrointestinal pain.
estimated resident population
The official Australian Bureau of Statistics estimate of the Australian population. The estimated resident population (ERP) is derived from the 5-yearly Census counts and is updated quarterly between each Census. It is based on the usual residence of the person. Rates are calculated per 1,000 or 100,000 mid-year (30 June) ERP.
general practice
General practice includes fully-qualified general practitioners (GPs). Physicians in training are normally excluded. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of GP attendances see Technical notes.
general practitioner (GP)
A medical practitioner who provides primary comprehensive and continuing care to patients and their families in the community.
genito-urinary system
The sexual organs and urinary system.
gestational diabetes
A form of diabetes when higher than optimal blood glucose is first diagnosed during pregnancy (gestation). It may disappear after pregnancy but signals a high risk of diabetes occurring later on.
GP mental health treatment plan
A plan created by a general practitioner for the management of a patient's mental health disorder(s). Under a mental health treatment plan, a patient is entitled to Medicare rebates for up to 10 individual psychological appointments and up to 10 group allied mental health services each year.
health literacy
The ability of people to access, understand and apply information about health and the health care system so as to make decisions that relate to their health.
heart attack
Life-threatening emergency that occurs when a vessel supplying blood to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked completely by a blood clot. The medical term commonly used for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. See also cardiovascular disease.
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, which can be due to certain viral infections, alcohol excess or a range of other causes.
high blood pressure/ hypertension
High blood pressure can be defined as any of the following:
  • systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mmHg
  • diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg
  • receiving medication for high blood pressure.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). If HIV is untreated, the body's immune system is damaged and is unable to fight infections and cancer.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
See HIV
humanitarian entrant
A person who has settled in Australia under the Department of Home Affairs' Refugee and Humanitarian Program. This program helps refugees as well as people in humanitarian need who may not meet the definition of a refugee (Home Affairs 2023). Humanitarian entrants may have experienced traumatic events such as war and persecution in their home country, or they may have lived in crowded and impoverished refugee camps with inadequate access to food, water, shelter and other basic survival needs (Fino et al. 2020).
hypertension
See high blood pressure/ hypertension.
lipid modifying agents, plain
Medication used in the treatment of high levels of fats such as cholesterol in the blood.
long-term health condition
A health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, for 6 months or more and includes health conditions that may recur from time to time, are controlled by medication and are in remission. Examples include:
medical specialist
A doctor who has completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine. See also specialists.
Medicare
A national, government-funded scheme that subsidises the cost of personal medical services for all Australians and aims to help them afford medical care. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is the listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian Government. The schedule is part of the wider Medicare Benefits Scheme (Medicare).
Medicare Benefits Schedule
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is the listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian Government. The schedule is part of the wider Medicare Benefits Scheme (Medicare).
Medicare Benefits Schedule data collection
The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) data collection contains information on services that qualify for a benefit under the Health Insurance Act 1973 and for which a claim has been processed. The database comprises information about MBS claims (including benefits paid), patients and service providers. MBS claims data is an administrative by-product of the Services Australia administration of the Medicare fee-for-service payment system.
mental health plan
See GP mental health treatment plan
mental illness (or mental health disorder)
A clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with an individual's cognitive, emotional or social abilities. The term covers a spectrum of disorders that vary in severity and duration, including:
morbidity
The ill health of an individual and levels of ill health in a population or group.
mortality
Number or rate of deaths in a population during a given time period.
mortality rate
Mortality rates are based on numbers of deaths registered in a year divided by the size of the corresponding population.
musculoskeletal
A term that relates to the muscles, joints and bones.
nervous system
includes the brain and all the nerves in the body that make consciousness, cognition, feeling and movement possible.
neoplasms
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Neoplasms may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called tumour.
obstetrics
The branch of medicine and surgery concerned with childbirth and midwifery.
opioids
Medication that acts on the nervous system primarily for pain relief.
optometry
The practice of primary eye care, including testing for visual acuity and prescribing treatments for eye disorders. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Optometry see Technical notes.
out-of-pocket costs
The total costs incurred by individuals for health care services over and above any refunds from the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)/ Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS).
other permanent migrants
In this report, other permanent migrants are people who have settled in Australia on permanent visas which are not classified as off-shore humanitarian including family and partner visas, working and skilled visas, or other visas.
pathology
Diagnostic services that examine specimens, such as samples of blood or tissue. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Pathology see Technical notes.
perinatal
Describes something that pertains to, or that occurred in, the period shortly before or after birth (usually up to 28 days after).
Person-Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA)
A secure data asset combining information on healthcare, education, government payments, income and taxation, employment, and population demographics (including the Census) over time (ABS 2021).
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
A national, government-funded scheme that subsidises the cost of a wide range of pharmaceutical drugs for all Australians to help them afford standard medications. The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (schedule) lists all the medicinal products available under the PBS and explains the uses for which they can be subsidised.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data collection
The PBS data collection contains information on prescription medicines that qualify for a benefit under the National Health Act 1953 and for which a claim has been processed. The database comprises information about PBS prescriptions and payments, patients, prescribers and dispensing pharmacies. PBS data is an administrative by-product of the Services Australia administration of the PBS Online system.
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The development of a set of reactions in people who have experienced a traumatic event that might have threatened their life or safety, or others around them. Examples of traumatic events can include war or torture, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, or disasters. A person who has PTSD can experience feelings of helplessness, horror or intense fear.
potentially avoidable deaths
The number of deaths each year of people under 75 from conditions that are potentially preventable through individualised care and/or treatable through existing primary or hospital care.
prescription
An authorisation issued by a medical profession for a patient to be issued a particular medication. For dementia-specific medications, typically a prescription (script) authorises a person to receive one month's supply of medication.
prevalence
The number or proportion (of cases, instances, and so forth) in a population at a given time.
proportion (percentage)
One number (numerator) divided by another number (denominator), multiplied by 100. In this study, proportion of people with a service or medication dispensed is the number of people with at least one service or medication dispensed divided by the number of people in the population. Proportion of people self-reporting a long-term health condition(s) is the number of people self-reporting a long-term health condition(s) divided by the number of people in the population.
psychological distress
Unpleasant feelings or emotions that affect a person's level of functioning and interfere with the activities of daily living. This distress can result in having negative views of the environment, others and oneself, and manifest as symptoms of mental illness, including anxiety and depression.
radiotherapy
Radiation directed at a localised area to kill or damage cancer cells. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Radiotherapy and therapeutic nuclear medicine see Technical notes.
rate
One number (numerator) divided by another number (denominator). The numerator is commonly the number of events in a specified time. The denominator is the population ‘at risk' of the event. Rates (crude, age-specific and age-standardised) are generally multiplied by a number such as 1,000 to create whole numbers.
refugee
A person who has been forced to flee their country due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (UNHCR 1951).
respiratory system
relating to the lungs and airways which enable the absorption of oxygen and the discharge of carbon dioxide.
rest of the Australian population
The Australian population excluding humanitarian entrants and other permanent migrants.
specialist attendance
A specialist attendance usually requires a referral from a general practitioner. A specialist attendance is a referred patient-doctor encounter (with Medicare funding benefits), such as a visit, consultation and attendance (including a video conference) with a medical practitioner who has been recognised as a specialist or consultant physician for the purposes of Medicare benefits. For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Specialist attendances see Technical notes.
specialists
Fully-qualified physicians who have specialised and work primarily in areas other than general practice. Physicians in training are normally excluded. See also medical specialists.
stroke
An event that occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain suddenly becomes blocked or bleeds. A stroke often causes paralysis of parts of the body normally controlled by that area of the brain, or speech problems and other symptoms. It is a major form of cerebrovascular disease.
suicide
An action intended to deliberately end one's own life.
suicidal ideation
Serious thoughts about ending one's own life.
therapeutic nuclear medicine
The use of radioactive materials to cure or treat conditions such as cancer and bone pain, or to reduce an organ’s function, such as an over-active thyroid (University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust 2023). For more information on which services are included in the broad type of service grouping of Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine see Technical notes.
tumour
See neoplasms.
type 1 diabetes
A form of diabetes mostly arising among children or younger adults (but can be diagnosed at any age) and marked by a complete lack of insulin. Insulin replacement is needed for survival. It is a lifelong disease, for which the exact cause is unknown, but believed to be the result of an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. See also diabetes (diabetes mellitus).
type 2 diabetes
The most common form of diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. The condition has strong genetic and family-related (non-modifiable) risk factors and is also often associated with modifiable risk factors. See also diabetes (diabetes mellitus).
underlying cause of death
The disease or injury that initiated the train of events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced the fatal injury. See also cause of death.

See also Australia's health – Glossary

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