The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its report on the causes of death in Australia in 2018, prompting the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt to welcome improvements in some cases and note the changes in others.
The report reveals the number of lives lost to suicide decreased by 82 from the previous year and suicide dropped one place to 14th leading cause of death overall.
Mr Hunt said even though the suicide rate dropped from 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people to 12.1, the only acceptable aim was to work towards zero.
“Suicide remained the leading cause of death among people 15-to-44 years of age, and the second leading cause of death among those 45-to-54 years of age in 2018,” Mr Hunt said.
“Each life lost is tragic, which is why the Government is working towards our goal of zero suicide and why we are committed to the task.”
Other changes in the leading causes of death over recent years include fewer cardiovascular disease (heart) and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) deaths.
The ABS reported that heart disease deaths decreased from 91.4 deaths per 100,000 population in 2009 to 54.6 deaths in 2018, while cerebrovascular deaths declined from 11,216 in 2009 to 9,972 in 2018.
Minister Hunt said it was encouraging to see the ongoing decline in the rates of mortality due to heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, however they remained among the leading causes of death in Australia.
Dementia, respiratory diseases and certain cancers were three causes of death The ABS reported increased in 2018.
Dementia increased from 32.3 deaths per 100,000 people in 2009 to 41.2 in 2018; cancers accounted for more than 30 per cent of all deaths; while lower respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were the fifth leading cause of death in 2018.
Mr Hunt said the Government was committed to building a mentally and physically healthy Australia through increased funding in mental health, primary care, hospitals, medical research and preventive health.
