The main takeaways:
Between 2003 and 2024, Australians’ life expectancy and years lived in “full health” increased. But the time spent in poor health also rose: by 1.2 years for men and 1.5 years for women.
More than three in five (61%) Australians now have at least one chronic condition – such as asthma, arthritis or depression – and almost two in five (38%) have two or more.
Cancer causes the most burden of disease, or years of healthy life lost to illness and premature death. Mental conditions and substance use disorders as a group are the second biggest cause of healthy life lost.
Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for almost one in ten deaths in 2024.
Mental illness is rising among young people but supports aren’t keeping up
More cancer in young people but survival rates are increasing overall...While cancer remains the greatest contributor to disease burden in Australia, addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity and smoking – coupled with cancer screening and focused research initiatives – will help reduce cancer incidence and deaths going forward.
Obesity has overtaken smoking as the leading contributor to disease... Among adults aged 25–34, obesity increased from 20% in 2011–12 to 29% in 2022–24.
Risky drinking is down, but we still drink more than our OECD peers... But alcohol is now one of the most preventable drivers of chronic disease. It contributes to more than 200 health conditions such as cancer, heart and liver disease, injuries and poor mental health [so this is within our control].
Health-care costs have risen, with more people skipping care
Carers are compensating for system gaps and are burnt out