The Australian Burden of Disease Study (ABDS) condition list contains 219 conditions in 17 groups. In this disease hierarchy, each disease is allocated to a disease group. The burden of disease groups contains related diseases or conditions—such as cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, or injuries—and one alternative reporting disease group (nature of injury instead of injury by external cause). These groups are listed in the figures below.
Not all health spending is directly related to a burden of disease condition or group. Some expenditure relates to interactions for purposes such as health maintenance (such as yearly health or dental checks) or investigation of potential health problems, which remain undiagnosed. These services are reported as signs and symptoms, interventions, examination and observation, and physical, behavioural social problems not elsewhere classified.
The condition groups with the highest spending were Musculoskeletal disorders followed by Cardiovascular diseases, and Cancer and other neoplasms.
- The most expensive disease groups for admitted patients in public hospitals were Cardiovascular diseases, Injury and Gastrointestinal disorders. In private hospitals, these were Musculoskeletal disorders, Cardiovascular diseases, and Cancer and other neoplasms.
- Spending on general practitioner services was highest for Infectious diseases, Mental and substance use disorders, followed by Musculoskeletal disorders.
- More than half of spending for allied health and other health practitioners related to Mental and substance use disorders, with just over a quarter relating to Hearing and vision disorders.
Of the estimated $134 billion of health spending included in this study, approximately 7% related to signs and symptoms, interventions, examination and observation, and physical, behavioural social problems not elsewhere classified.