Introduction
Australia is a country that has a very high life expectancy rate. This rate is high because it has some of the best healthcare in the world. The Australian government spends over $20 billion annually on health care for its citizens. Modern Australia also has an excellent public school system and free university education, which are both factors that contribute to their long life expectancy.
Historical background
After the Second World War, the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases increased considerably in Australia for several decades. During 1950–1970, tobacco-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and lung cancer increased the mortality risk among men aged 50–80 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022c). In 1970, the mortality among Australian males attributed to ischemic heart disease was second in the industrialized world only to Finland. Despite falling infant and child mortality, the increased adult mortality risk meant that life expectancy at birth increased between 1950 and 1970 by only 0.9 years for men and 2.5 years for women (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022c). For younger men, road traffic accident-related mortality was also substantial.
Australians’ Health Nowadays
Australians have access to free or low-cost healthcare through Medicare, funded by taxpayers and administered by the Australian government. Australians can receive treatment for any condition at any time without having to pay anything out of pocket. Approximately 80% of Australians have private health insurance, and the remaining 20% either do not qualify for Medicare or choose not to participate (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022c). Those who choose not to participate will still be covered by public hospitals and doctors but may have higher out-of-pocket expenses due to lower subsidies from the government.
Causes of Death in Australia
There are many different causes of death in Australia, and some of the most common causes of death include heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Other causes of death include accidents, suicide, and other external factors such as violence. Heart Disease is Australia’s leading cause of death (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022b). Heart disease can be caused by several factors, such as high cholesterol levels or a blockage in one’s arteries. The most common form is coronary artery disease which occurs when plaque builds up on the walls of an artery that supplies blood to one’s heart muscle. Cancer is also one of Australia’s leading causes of death (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022b). Cancer can be caused by abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably or from abnormal cells that develop into tumors which then spread throughout the body via blood vessels or lymph nodes. There are over 20 different types and categories of cancers which all have slightly different characteristics but share similar treatments across all cancers.
Disability-Adjusted Life Years in Australia
Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are a way of measuring the impact of health care on an individual’s life. DALYs are calculated by multiplying the number of years lost due to disability by the severity of that disability. The calculation is based on data from a study done in India in 1995, which found that every year someone is disabled, they lose 0.25 DALYs (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2022). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has created the Disability Adjustment Life Year Index, which measures how many years people with disabilities lose each year compared to those without disabilities. The results show that Australians with intellectual disabilities lose an average of five years, while those who suffer from depressive disorders or anxiety disorders lose four years each year due to their illness (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2022). This relation shows how important mental health is for Australians and those with specific conditions such as depression or anxiety disorder.
Birth Rate and Maternal Mortality in Australia
The birth rate is the number of births per 1,000 people per year. s. The birth rate in Australia was 10.3 births per 1000 persons in 2019 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022a). This rate shows that out of every 1000 persons born alive that year. The maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die during pregnancy or within one year after giving birth per 100,000 live births. The maternal mortality ratio in Australia is five deaths per 100,000 live births which means that out of every 10,000 women who give birth during their lifetime, only five will die from pregnancy-related causes or childbirth complications during that same period (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022b). The maternal mortality ratio can be improved by increasing awareness about pregnancy-related issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, among other factors like smoking during pregnancy. Pregnant mothers can get proper medical attention if needed to prevent complications from occurring while giving birth to their children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many factors, such as low education levels, contribute to low fertility rates. Still, there are many ways to improve this issue, such as increasing awareness about pregnancy-related topics. For example, smoking during pregnancy so that pregnant mothers can get proper medical attention if needed to prevent any complications from occurring while giving birth to their child. Family planning is another factor that can affect birth rates because it helps women plan their families and prevent unwanted pregnancies. This means fewer abortions which means fewer mental health problems later in life.
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Births, Australia. Web.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Deaths, Australia. Web.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Health Conditions Prevalence. Web.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). Australian Burden of Disease Study 2022. Web.