Geographical analysis of hospitalised injury and injury deaths data, 2017–18

The largest number of injuries in 2017–18 occurred for residents of Major cities of Australia with 350,000 hospitalisations and 8,300 deaths (Figures 1 and 2). However, when adjusted for population size, the largest rates of injury hospitalisations and deaths occurred for residents of Very remote regions of Australia.

The age-standardised rate of hospitalised injury in 2017–18 increased as the remoteness of usual residence increased (Figure 1). The rate of injury for residents of Very remote regions was more than double the rate for residents of Major cities. Similarly, rates of injury death rose with increasing remoteness, with the rate for residents of Very remote areas being 1.7 times the rate for residents of Major cities (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Hospitalised injury cases and age-standardised rates, by remoteness of usual residence, Australia 2017–18

Notes

1. Derived using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) classification.
2. Age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population (per 100,000).

Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.

Figure 2: Injury deaths and age-standardised rates, by remoteness of usual residence, Australia 2017–18

Notes

1. Derived using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) classification.
2. Age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population (per 100,000).

Source: AIHW National Mortality Database.