Australian Centre for Monitoring Population Health

On average, Australians are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy has been steadily increasing, and this is matched by increases in the proportion of deaths that occur at older ages and in the median age at death. The result is an ageing population coupled with substantial growth in the population of centenarians (people aged 100 years or more). However, the oldest age at death has shown minimal increases over time. In Australia the oldest living person is believed to have died at age 114.

MORT books are Excel workbooks that contain recent mortality data for specific geographical areas of Australia, sourced from the AIHW National Mortality Database. The workbooks also present the leading 20 causes of death by sex for specific geographical areas of Australia.

This report presents results using the Enhanced Indigenous Mortality Data Collection to estimate the levels, age‑sex patterns and trends in Indigenous and non-Indigenous mortality and life expectancy, as well as the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mortality and life expectancy, over the period 2011–2013 to 2016–2018. The report also presents estimates of the relative contribution of different age groups and causes of death to the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. There were marginal gains in life expectancy for Indigenous males and females during the reference period.

Australian females experience different health outcomes to males. They experience more of their total disease burden from living with disease rather than from dying prematurely. Leading causes of disease burden include anxiety disorders, back pain and problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease. Females are more likely to have multiple chronic conditions. They are also more likely to experience sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

To learn more about the health outcomes of males, see The health of Australia’s males.

Australian males experience different health outcomes to females. They experience more of their total disease burden from dying prematurely than from living with disease and injury. Leading causes of disease burden include heart disease, dementia and mental health and substance use disorders. Males are also more likely to engage in risky health behaviours such as tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse. They are also less likely to seek health care services.

To learn more about the health outcomes of females, see The health of Australia’s females.

Lymphoedema is a condition where the accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid in the tissue results in swelling of one or more regions of the body. The purpose of this scoping study is to assess the utility of available data sources in determining an estimate of the number of Australian’s living with lymphoedema. This report provides the basis for future analytical reports describing the prevalence of lymphoedema.

This report presents statistics on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) using key performance indicators. Of those who were invited to participate in the NBCSP between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021, 40.9% undertook screening. Among those who screened in 2021, 6% had a positive result warranting further assessment. Of the participants who underwent a follow-up diagnostic assessment, 1 in 27 was diagnosed with a confirmed or suspected cancer.

The National Cervical Screening Program aims to reduce incidence, morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer in Australia. The National Cervical Screening Program data dictionary is a key document that has been developed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare with the assistance of state and territory cervical screening programs and other cervical screening experts to support monitoring and reporting by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the renewed National Cervical Screening Program.

Most Australians do not meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines and consume diets high in discretionary foods, sugar, salt and fat, yet not enough fruit and vegetables. Dietary risk factors are a leading cause of ill health and contribute to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer. This report provides an overview of Australians’ consumption of foods and drinks, and selected nutrients, and the health impacts of dietary risk factors.

‘Physical activity’ is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Low levels of physical activity are a major risk factor for chronic conditions.