Every year in Australia, millions of years of healthy life are lost because of injury, illness or premature deaths. Burden of disease measures the impact of diseases and injuries on a population.
Latest data from the AIHW Australian Burden of Disease Study 2023 found injury accounted for 8% of the total burden in Australia. The leading causes for total burden of injury in Australia for 2023 include:
- Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injuries (2.8%)
- Falls (1.6%)
- Poisoning (1.3%)
In 2018, WA experienced the second highest rate of injury burden in Australia, with alcohol being the highest modifiable risk factor for injury, contributing to 15% of all injury burden. Some groups in the community are at higher risk than others. Males, older adults, Aboriginal peoples and regional residents are more likely to experience burden as a result of injury. Injury is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia, yet most injuries can be prevented.
Knowledge of injury epidemiology is essential to developing and implementing injury prevention strategies. A common method to prevent injuries is the Public Health Approach to Injury Prevention, which consists of five stages.
Surveillance – to work out what the issue is.
Determinants – to work out what might be causing or influencing the issue.
Interventions – to develop interventions to address the issue.
Implementation – to implement the intervention.
Evaluation – to evaluate the intervention to work out how addressed or influenced.
Learn how you can prevent injuries in your community and access the for information and resources to increase your injury prevention knowledge and capacity.