Recent insights from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on injury among women 2022–23 highlights injury as the 7th cause of disease burden in Australia for females aged 19 and over, and accounts for about 10% of fatal burden and 40% of all injury-related hospitalisations.
Looking more closely at the key findings, trends, causes, and the populations most affected provides further insight of the effects of not only the initial trauma, but also how injury can cause long-term physical disability or psychological damage.
Key findings
In 2022-23 in Australia, among females aged 19 years and over, there were:
- 536,835 Emergency Department Presentations
- 217,224 Hospital Admissions
- 5,880 Deaths
Leading Causes of Injury
Falls
Falls accounted for 57% of all women’s injury hospitalisations and 58% of all deaths among women and was the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation and death, particularly among older women. Causes noted were often linked to age-related factors such as frailty, side effects of medications, or hazards at home.
Violence
Assault-related injuries continue to be a serious public health issue, particularly for women in certain high-risk populations, such as those living within very remote areas, pregnant women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Assault-related injuries accounted for approximately 7,600 hospitalisations in 2022-23.
Intentional self-harm
Intentional self-harm, most frequently through self-poisoning (82% of cases of hospitalisations for intentional self-harm involving self-poisoning), was noted as a significant mental health concern, particularly among younger and middle-aged women.
Transport
Transport-related injuries were also noted as being common among women aged 25-44, with motor vehicle incidents being the primary contributor to transport-related injuries among women.
Understanding Injury in WA
Understanding how injuries affect women differently and why, is essential to improving health outcomes, safety, and support for women. Better mental health care, safer homes, more equitable services for women in remote and Indigenous communities can assist women to reduce their risk of injury.
Injury Matters, through the Know Injury Program, provides information and resources to understand the impact and prevention strategies for injury in Western Australia.
Lifeline WA 13 11 14
13YARN 13 92 76 – National service for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 – National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 007 339