Australian Health Statistics

The following statistics illustrate the impact of lifestyle choices on the health of Australians:

Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in Australia. Lung cancer caused the most cancer deaths in Australian in 2002.  Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2004

Being overweight, alone, increases risk for heart failure; for every one-point increase in body mass index (BMI), the risk for men increases 5 percent and for women 7 percent.  New England Journal of Medicine, 2002

The cost of obesity to Australian businesses for sick leave, lost productivity and presenteeism is estimated at millions.  Journal of Health Promotion, 2003

Workplace stress costs Australian businesses more than a million dollars each year in lost productivity and rehabilitation costs for stressed workers.  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2004

Diabetes prevalence has more than doubled over the past two decades and is estimated to affect around 1 million adult Australians.  Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2004

One in two Australian adults has blood cholesterol levels regarded as unhealthy.  Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2004

Obesity prevalence among adults has doubled over the last two decades. One in five people are obese in Australia.  Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2004

One in two Australian adults does not undertake leisure physical activities at levels recommended for health benefits.  Australian Institute of Health & Welfare 2004

A moderate diet and an exercise program leading to weight loss of 5 percent to 7 percent can lower the incidence of type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.  Health and Human Services Diabetes Prevention Program, 2001

Healthy employees are nearly three times more productive than unhealthy employees.  Source: Medibank Private ‘The health of Australia’s workforce – Nov 2005′

Unhealthy employees take up to nine times more sick leave than their healthy industry colleagues.  Source: Medibank Private ‘The health of Australia’s workforce – Nov 2005′

Poor employee health and absenteeism is costing Australian business $7billion annually.  Source: Medibank Private ‘The health of Australia’s workforce – Nov 2005