Introduction

• What medical conditions cause the largest number of deaths in Australia?

• Let’s take a moment to look at the real story behind the deaths in Australia, and just what the numbers really show.

Death Rates by State

• The graph below shows the annual age-standardised death rate over the last 50 years. It demonstrates the reduction in rates over the period and the increase in 2022.

Causes of deaths

The top five leading causes of death

• Ischaemic heart diseases

• Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease

• Cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. stroke)

• Lung cancer

• Chronic lower respiratory diseases

• But in 2022, deaths due to COVID-19 are the third most significant contributor.

• Most COVID-19 related deaths registered in 2022 occurred during one of the multiple Omicron waves of the pandemic.

2022 Death Rates by State

Let’s give our attention to 2022 death rates in each State in Australia.

COVID-19 Impact to age groups

• COVID-19 deaths in 2022 varied widely by age and sex, with older adults and males being most affected.

Diseases of the respiratory system

• The sharp decline in death rates from respiratory diseases in 2020 can largely be attributed to the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including public health measures, changes in behavior, and healthcare adaptations.

• The gradual increase in rates post-2020, though not reaching pre-2020 levels, suggests a partial return to normalcy with ongoing benefits from improved healthcare practices and increased public awareness about respiratory health.

Suicides in Australia

• Sadly, Suicides are another severe cause of deaths!

Conclusion

• The top five leading causes of death—Ischaemic heart diseases, Dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), Cerebrovascular diseases, Lung cancer, and Chronic lower respiratory diseases—have remained consistent over recent years.

• However, the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 introduced a significant shift in mortality patterns, with the virus quickly becoming the third most significant contributor to deaths in 2022.

• By understanding the dynamics of mortality patterns and addressing underlying determinants of health, we can strive towards building a healthier and more resilient society.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to explore the complex landscape of mortality in Australia!

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Causes of Death, Australia. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/2022

• The Australian. (n.d.). Deaths in Australia up by 20,000 in 2022, half from COVID. Retrieved from https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fdeaths-in-australia-up-by-20000-in-2022-half-from-covid%2Fnews-story%2F40d71eecfe3af6d012fe4fbf7f709e2e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append

• ABC News. (2023, September 27). COVID-19 the third-leading cause of death in Australia in 2022, data shows. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-27/covid-in-abs-leading-causes-of-death-data-heart-disease-/102906350