Summary
Certain groups in the population have significantly higher mortality from heart, stroke and vascular disease than other groups. Indigenous Australians die from heart, stroke and vascular disease at nearly twice the rate of the total population. There are differences in the health profiles of Australians living in urban, rural and remote areas, and in those of differing socio-economic status as well. There is a clear need to reduce the impact of heart, stroke and vascular disease on less advantaged groups.
Progress towards national goals and targets
Under the NHPA initiative, progress towards reducing the health problem is measured by time trends in risk factor prevalence, and morbidity and mortality. This report documents results for a set of 22 indicators for cardiovascular health, and eight risk factor indicators that are relevant to other NHPAs as well as to the health of Australians in general. There have been positive outcomes in a number of areas for which trend data are available. Death rates for coronary heart disease and stroke, in the total population (including rural and remote areas) have decreased. The prevalence rates for tobacco smoking and high blood pressure have continued to fall. However, there has been little change in recreational physical activity levels over the past 20 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity continues to rise. In addition, it seems unlikely that current efforts in Indigenous populations will allow a real prospect of achieving nationally agreed targets for mortality, morbidity or risk factors.
Preliminary material (85K PDF): List of tables and figures; Contributors and acknowledgements; Executive summary (141K PDF); Introduction
1. Overview (111K PDF)
- Profile of heart, stroke and vascular disease
- Trends in mortality and prevalence
- Issues in heart, stroke and vascular disease
2. Indicators for cardiovascular health (57K PDF)
- The development process
- Overview of indicators and trends
- Summary of trends
3. Primary prevention (76K PDF)
- Background
- Inter-relationships in health promotion
- Scope for further gains from prevention
- Current approaches to primary prevention in Australia
4. Management and treatment (113K PDF)
- Management of heart, stroke and vascular disease
- Secondary prevention and rehabilitation
- Current approaches to treatment and secondary prevention
5. Potential gains from interventions to prevent and treat heart, stroke and vascular disease (64K PDF)
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Other cardiovascular conditions
- Conclusions
6. Special populations (78K PDF)
- Indigenous populations
- Remote populations
- Socio-economically disadvantaged people
7. Monitoring, information management and research (62K PDF)
- National Cardiovascular Monitoring System
- Information management
- Research
8. Opportunities and future directions (47K PDF)
Appendixes
Appendix 1: NHPA indicators for general health
Appendix 2: NHPA indicators for cardiovascular health
Appendix 3: Data issues
A summary report is also available online (141K PDF).
End matter (257K PDF): Acronyms and abbreviations; Glossary; References