According to the latest national health report card released by the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness (AIHW) on September 13, 2016, Aussies are living the longest that we ever have.
The report cites Australian men are living for an average of 80.3 years, while women can expect to live to the ripe old age of 84.4 years.
According to the report, in 2014 – 15, 85 per cent of Australians aged 15 and above self-rated their health as ‘good’ or ‘better’, which places us fourth on the list of the 34 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries.
Speaking to the report findings, Federal Health Minister, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP expressed her joy at the latest data, citing the Turnbull Government will continue to work with stakeholders to progress more health system reforms, and an increased investment in Medicare.
“The report indicates that health outcomes for Australians have improved over time, with life expectancy at an all-time high of 80.3 years for males, while a baby girl could expect to live for 84.4 years.
“Survival rates for cancer are also improving,” said Ms Ley.
“[The report] Australia’s health 2016 shows us that about 85 per cent of Australians rate their health as good, very good or excellent, which is a testament to the significant investment of the Turnbull Government into the health of our nation, with about one-quarter of total Government revenue attributed to health spending.”
Despite our increased life expectancy, and overall improvement in survival from diseases such as cancer, which witnessed a 22 per cent increase in survival between 1982 – 2016, the report also documented 50 per cent of Australians (one-in-11) are living with a chronic condition, while 23 per cent of Aussies are battling two or more chronic diseases.
Cardiovascular disease (18 per cent) and mental health conditions (18 per cent) were the most commonly reported of the selected chronic diseases, followed by back pain and problems (16 per cent).
And, although cancer survival rates are increasing, for the first time in the history of the AIHW report, cancer is Australia’s biggest killer.
In 2013, of the 147,700 Australian deaths registered, 44,100 were directly caused by cancer.
“The report shows that half of Australians have a chronic disease – such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes or a mental health disorder – and one-in-four have two or more of these conditions,” Ms Ley said.
“This is why our initial investment of almost $120 million in the Health Care Homes initiative is so important. It will help to keep those with chronic conditions healthier and out of hospital. It will give GPs the flexibility and tools they need to design individual care plans for patients with chronic conditions, and coordinate care services to support them.”
To learn more about the state of our nation’s health, read the national health report card here.