Australians’ life expectancy has risen steadily over time but has fallen in the course of the Covid pandemic, in accordance with a brand new report released today. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
report – Australia’s Health 2026 – A boy born in 2022-2024 had a life expectancy of 81.1 years, while a woman can expect to live a mean of 85.1 years.
However, latest figures included within the report show that this has stabilized and life expectancy in 2024 was 85.5 for ladies and 81.6 for men.
Between 2003 and 2024, Australians’ life expectancy and years lived in “perfect health” increased. But time spent sick also increased: 1.2 years for men and 1.5 years for ladies.
More than three in five (61%) Australians now have at the very least one chronic condition – reminiscent of asthma, arthritis or depression – and almost two in five (38%) have two or more.
Cancer accounts for the best burden of disease, or years of healthy life lost as a result of disease and premature death. Mental conditions and substance use disorders are the second leading reason for lack of healthy life as a gaggle.
Dementia is now the leading reason for death in Australia, accounting for nearly one in ten deaths in 2024. Deaths from dementia increased by 39% in a decade, while deaths from coronary heart disease – the previous leading reason for death – fell by 18%.
So what have been the largest changes in Australian health and fitness over the past two years? A discussion panel of health experts explains.
Our experts
Sebastian RosenbergMental health
Sarah DeppstratonCancer
Peter BradenHealth costs
Helen DickinsonCaregivers
Nicole Leeto drink
Kathryn Beckhollerobesity
Mental illness is on the rise amongst young people, but support is just not sustained.
Sebastian RosenbergAssociate Professor, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
One in five Australians aged 16–85 (22%) had a mental disorder prior to now 12 months. This rate is displayed. Quite stable.
However, between 2007 and 2020-2022 the proportion of 16-24 12 months olds experiencing a mental disorder increased from 26% to 39%.
75% of all mental illnesses are manifest. Before the age of 25 yearswe’d like efficient. Answers For young Australians.
Mental illness accounts for 15 percent of the overall burden of illness and suicide. Meanwhile, the leading reason for disease burden amongst men aged 15-44 was self-inflicted injury.
Yet a previous report found mental health. Accounts for only 7% of total health expenditure. This difference doesn’t explain all mental health crises, but it surely does explain some.
About 6.5% of Australians are reported as having a psychiatric disability (disability brought on by mental illness). This is up from 4.6 percent in 2018.
Now Half a million Australians with severe or moderate psychological support needs Not receiving? Support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or other government-funded programmes.
More cancers in young people but overall survival rates are increasing.
Sarah DeppstratonSenior Research Officer, Blood Cell and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Significantly more Australians are alive five years after a cancer diagnosis, increasing from 50% in 1987-1991 to 72% in 2017-2021.
This is because individuals are diagnosed earlier, when cancer is less complicated to treat, in addition to the provision of simpler treatments.
Although survival rates haven’t improved equally for all cancers, even the deadliest cancers have seen major improvements. Pancreatic cancer is only one. 14% five-year survival rate (2017–2021), but has increased by only 3.1 percent (1987–1991).
The report highlights the increasing incidence of cancer amongst young people. Diagnosis is for people of their 30s 11.6% increase since 2000.Primarily for colorectal and thyroid cancer.
But the actual number stays low (135 cases per 100,000 people), and the variety of cancer deaths amongst young people is definitely A 38 percent decline since 2000.
While cancer is the most important contributor to the burden of disease in Australia, addressing modifiable risk aspects reminiscent of obesity and smoking – together with cancer screening and focused research initiatives – will help reduce cancer incidence and mortality going forward.
Obesity has overtaken smoking as the largest contributor to the disease.
Kathryn BeckhollerCo-Director, Global Center for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Deakin University
Overweight and obesity have overtaken tobacco use because the leading risk factor contributing to disease burden.
In 2022-24, roughly 13.2 million adults (67%) and 1.4 million children and adolescents (27%) were living with obesity or were chubby.
The model of race is especially relevant. Australians born recently usually tend to live with obesity than previous generations at the identical age. Among adults aged 25–34, obesity increased from 20% in 2011–12 to 29% in 2022–24.
Urgent motion is required to create a healthy environment that makes it easier for Australians to make healthy food decisions and be physically energetic.
We also need more equitable access to evidence-based treatment and care, including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. As the report notes, the high cost of those drugs implies that those that need them most are sometimes unable to access them.
Hazardous drinking is down, but we still drink greater than our OECD peers.
Nicole LeeAdjunct Professor on the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University
Australians drink 9.8 liters of pure alcohol (773 standard drinks) per 12 months. This is significantly higher than the OECD average of 8.4 litres.
First Nations individuals are less likely than the final population to drink in any respect, and dangerous drinking amongst First Nations people is anticipated to diminish from 48 per cent in 2010 to 33 per cent in 2022-23.
Hazardous drinking, which is commonly linked to injuries and emergency department visits. Refused in the final population.
But alcohol is now some of the preventable drivers of chronic disease. contributes to More than 200 Health conditions reminiscent of cancer, heart and liver disease, injuries and poor mental health.
With Australia’s population aging – and three in five Australians already living with at the very least one chronic condition – reducing hazardous drinking is one in every of our biggest opportunities to forestall future disease and reduce pressure on the health system.
Health care costs have risen, more individuals are leaving care.
Peter BradenProgram Director, Health and Aged Care, Grattan Institute
After the ups and downs of the pandemic, three long-term trends resumed: government spending continued to rise, so did the share of funding going to hospitals, and so did patients’ out-of-pocket fees.
Australia spends just $10,000 per person on health in 2023-24. This is 17% higher than a decade ago, above inflation, and 1 / 4 higher than the typical amongst wealthy countries.
Hospitals account for the most important share of health spending, increasing from 39% to 42% over the past decade.
The average out-of-pocket fee totaled $1,634, up nearly $200 from a decade ago (in today’s dollars). As fees rise, more individuals are skipping care, with 8% of Australians saying they delayed or avoided a GP visit in 2024-25 due to cost.
And for some care, patients get a much bigger share of the bill. They pay essentially the most for dental care, accounting for 61% of total costs, so it’s no surprise that 16% of individuals skip dental care due to cost.
Caregivers are compensating for system gaps and are burned out.
Helen DickinsonProfessor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney
Unpaid caregivers provide ongoing support to members of the family, friends, and neighbors who’ve a disability, chronic illness, mental illness, age-related frailty, dementia, or other condition that limits their independence.
Around 2022 3 million Australians (one in eight) provided informal care, including 1.2 million primary carers. These caregivers perform a big selection of tasks that help the person stay protected, healthy, and live in the neighborhood.
Unpaid carers are estimated to save lots of the Australian economy. $77.9 billion per year In the upkeep costs avoided.
Research consistently shows that caregivers experience greater health and wellness than the final population. The AIHW report shows:
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61% of carers didn’t report a healthy level of health in comparison with 34% of Australians overall.
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43% felt lonely (often or at all times) in comparison with 12% of Australians overall.
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36 per cent experienced high psychological distress in comparison with 16 per cent of Australians overall.
The report warns that:
Without higher coordinated and more responsive formal support, the pressure on unpaid carers may increase.
Nevertheless, of the federal government Proposed NDIS reforms By tightening eligibility and reducing financial support, pressure on unpaid carers could increase.
This risks shifting more caregiving responsibilities onto families.