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Health Statistics in Australia: What We Know and Do Not Know

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Madden

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Nicola Fortune

    (Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
    Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia)

  • Julie Gordon

    (WHO Collaborating Centre for Strengthening Rehabilitation Capacity in Health Systems, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia)

Abstract

Australia is a federation of six states and two territories (the States). These eight governmental entities share responsibility for health and health services with the Australian Government. Mortality statistics, including causes of death, have been collected since the late 19th century, with national data produced by the (now) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) from 1907. Each State introduced hospital in-patient statistics, assisted by State offices of the ABS. Beginning in the 1970s, the ABS conducts regular health surveys, including specific collections on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Overall, Australia now has a comprehensive array of health statistics, published regularly without political or commercial interference. Privacy and confidentiality are guaranteed by legislation. Data linkage has grown and become widespread. However, there are gaps, as papers in this issue demonstrate. Most notably, data on primary care patients and encounters reveal stark gaps. This paper accompanies a range of papers from expert authors across the health statistics spectrum in Australia. It is hoped that the collection of papers will inform interested readers and stand as a comprehensive review of the strengths and weaknesses of Australian health statistics in the early 2020s.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Madden & Nicola Fortune & Julie Gordon, 2022. "Health Statistics in Australia: What We Know and Do Not Know," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:4959-:d:797200
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Eynstone-Hinkins & Lauren Moran, 2022. "Enhancing Australian Mortality Data to Meet Future Health Information Demands," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-6, January.
    2. Siu-Ming Tam & Frederic Clarke, 2015. "Big Data, Official Statistics and Some Initiatives by the Australian Bureau of Statistics," International Statistical Review, International Statistical Institute, vol. 83(3), pages 436-448, December.
    3. Merran Smith & Felicity Flack, 2021. "Data Linkage in Australia: The First 50 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    4. Ian Ring & Kalinda Griffiths, 2021. "Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Information: Progress, Pitfalls, and Prospects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Sebastian Rosenberg & Luis Salvador-Carulla & Graham Meadows & Ian Hickie, 2022. "Fit for Purpose—Re-Designing Australia’s Mental Health Information System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Nicola Fortune & Rosamond H. Madden & Shane Clifton, 2021. "Health and Access to Health Services for People with Disability in Australia: Data and Data Gaps," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, November.
    7. Duckett, Stephen J., 1995. "Hospital payment arrangements to encourage efficiency: the case of Victoria, Australia," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 113-134, November.
    8. Julie Gordon & Helena Britt & Graeme C. Miller & Joan Henderson & Anthony Scott & Christopher Harrison, 2022. "General Practice Statistics in Australia: Pushing a Round Peg into a Square Hole," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-10, February.
    9. Najith Amarasena & Sergio Chrisopoulos & Lisa M. Jamieson & Liana Luzzi, 2021. "Oral Health of Australian Adults: Distribution and Time Trends of Dental Caries, Periodontal Disease and Tooth Loss," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
    10. Sonam Shelly & Emily Lodge & Carly Heyman & Felicity Summers & Amy Young & Jennifer Brew & Matthew James, 2021. "Mental Health Services Data Dashboards for Reporting to Australian Governments during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, October.
    11. Linda R. Jensen, 2022. "Using Data Integration to Improve Health and Welfare Insights," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-9, January.
    12. Sallie-Anne Pearson & Nicole Pratt & Juliana de Oliveira Costa & Helga Zoega & Tracey-Lea Laba & Christopher Etherton-Beer & Frank M. Sanfilippo & Alice Morgan & Lisa Kalisch Ellett & Claudia Bruno & , 2021. "Generating Real-World Evidence on the Quality Use, Benefits and Safety of Medicines in Australia: History, Challenges and a Roadmap for the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-20, December.
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    2. Sithara Satiyadev & Richard Madden & Judith Bruce, 2023. "The Public Health Value of Coding Surgery in South Africa Using the International Classification of Health Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-8, February.

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