Anita Stimac
2024-11-01
Australia boasts a strong healthcare system.
However, there remains significant potential for improvement in light of its rapidly growing and aging population.
“Australia’s population was 27,122,411 people as of 31st March 2024” (ABS, 2024).
“The annual growth reached 615,300 people, representing a remarkable 2.3% increase, marking the steepest growth rate in Australia’s history” (ABS, 2024).
Source: ABS - https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/population-clock-pyramid
A larger population leads to higher demand for healthcare services, including primary care, specialty services, hospital care and emergency services. Without adequate healthcare infrastructure, this demand can overwhelm existing services.
In 2022-23 over 30% of people ‘at least once delayed seeing or did not see a GP when needed.’
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) indicates that individuals living in lower socioeconomic areas are more likely to seek care in hospital emergency departments.
Individuals in lower socioeconomic areas often have reduced access to primary care services due to financial constraints, lack of health insurance. This can lead to untreated health issues that worsen over time, necessitating emergency care.
Placing additional strain on our public hospital emergency departments.
Source: AIHW - https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/sectors/emergency-department-care
Australia boasts a world-class healthcare system; however, it is increasingly becoming unaffordable. ‘A report from the Grattan Institute highlights rising private health insurance premiums, with approximately 100,000 Australians dropping their coverage in the past year’ PWC (2024).
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that there has been a significant rise in certain long-term health conditions over the past decade. Factors such as economic stress, job insecurity, and financial pressures contribute to elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Additionally, as individuals grow older, they become increasingly susceptible to chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. These conditions necessitate continuous medical management and can result in complications that require further healthcare interventions.
“Source: ABS - https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/2022#data-downloads”,
An aging and rapidly expanding population can place considerable strain on healthcare systems, making it essential to develop comprehensive strategies that effectively meet their specific healthcare needs.
To achieve improved health outcomes and ensure sustainability, a collaborative approach involving both private and public healthcare providers, as well as government entities, is required.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2024). National, State and territory population Website Name. National, state and territory population, March 2024 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
Early Childhood Australia. (2016). Early Childhood Australia’s advocacy: Advocacy goals. https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/early-childhood-australias-advocacy/
PWC (2024). The time to act is now. Website Name. The future of health in Australia
Australian Institute of Health and Wealthfare. (2024) Emergency department care. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/myhospitals/sectors/emergency-department-care