What are the leading causes of death in Australia?

Death continues to be largely taboo topic despite it happening to us all.

While most of us don’t know how or when we’ll die, information on the leading causes of death in Australia can help us reflect on our own health and lifestyle choices, and what we can do to protect ourselves.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found in 2016 that 13 per cent of men died from coronary heart disease – the leading cause of death. This disease was the second leading cause of death for women; the first being dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at 11 per cent. Cerebrovascular disease (including stroke), lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – comprise the top five underlying causes of death in Australia for men and women of all ages combined.

The top 10 causes of death for men and women in 2016

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s Health 2018 Report

Heart disease is the most common cause of death

According to the National Heart Foundation of Australia, 18,590 Australians died from heart disease in 2017 (this is one every 28 minutes). It’s also a contributing factor to other causes of death such as strokes. 

Heart Foundation general manager of heart health and research Bill Stravreski says: “There is a big gap in the awareness of heart disease among the Australian community. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and the second-leading cause among women.”

Their research shows that less than 5 per cent of people are aware high blood pressure and cholesterol are the two biggest risk factors contributing to heart disease. Straveski says that half of heart disease sufferers have one of these risk factors, while a third have both.

“These risk factors are bigger than alcohol, stress and lack of physical activity but it’s those factors that people are more focused on.”

Causes of death in Australia for men and women

The leading causes of death have changed over the past century as Australians are living longer. According to AIHW the rate of deaths between 1950 and 2000 decreased due to the control of infectious diseases, better hygiene and nutrition, and improvements in road safety. However, circulatory heart disease has remained a leading cause of death for Australians for both men and women over the past century. 

During this period there has been a considerable reduction in the death rates for stomach and cervical cancers. As Australians become more educated about their health they are eating better and exercising more, plus taking preventative measures such as regular skin checks, mammograms and pap smears, and this has contributed to the improved survival rates from cancer. Thirty years ago about five in 10 people survived for at least five years after their cancer diagnosis; more recent figures are closer to seven in 10.

Falls are the most common accidental death

We don’t all die from diseases. Accidental deaths are also common and can be particularly traumatic as loved ones often have no warning. The leading cause of accidental death in 2016 was falls, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, when there were 2666 deaths as a result. Traffic accidents, accidental poisoning and drowning are also high on the list of accidental causes of death.

ANZ’s research report, The Impact of Death on Parents and Children, found 40 per cent of the families surveyed had no warning prior to the death of their parent/spouse, and 64 per cent had less than a week’s notice^disclaimer. Should the unexpected happen to you, life insurance can help ease the financial pressure on your family and provide for them when you’re not there. 

Protecting yourself with life insurance

Life insurance provides beneficiaries with a lump-sum payment if you die, or an early payment if you’re diagnosed as being terminally ill. How much cover you need comes down to your own personal circumstances, number of dependants you may have and what life stage you’re at.

OnePath Head of Life Insurance Gerard Kerr says life insurance is probably the simplest type of insurance to have and it’s best to have at least something in place.  He adds the main issue around life insurance is that it’s something people tend to put off.  “It’s just the way we’re programmed,” he says. “This is why when you do start considering it, it’s important to follow through and get it in place because it gives you a level of security.”

Another insurance that you may want to consider is critical illness – or trauma – insurance. This provides cover for serious medical issues such as cancer, a heart attack, stroke or severe injury. While people tend to focus on the worst-case scenario of death when taking out insurance, these conditions are life-altering and if you aren’t adequately protected financially can cause a lot of stress.

Make sure you have enough insurance protection

When it comes to life insurance Kerr says people can make assumptions about their current level of cover that can be devastating should they ever need to claim. “Many assume they have life insurance in their super or that their employer has set something up,” he says. “Often they have no idea how much cover they actually have or what the policy terms are.”

He says a traditional rule of thumb is 10 times your income. “It might sound like a lot, say if you’re on $100,000 as that equates to $1million but if you have a young child that amount of cover can run out by the time they’re a teenager.”

Find out more about the different types of life insurance or get a life insurance quote online today.