INDIGENOUS
FATAL BURDEN
There were around
2,950 DEATHS of INDIGENOUS
AUSTRALIANS in 2010.
FATAL BURDEN quantifies the amount of life lost due to people
dying early—that is, people who died before the life expectancy for
their age. It is measured in YEARS OF LIFE LOST (YLL).
Age at death
YLL =
Number of
YEARS OF LIFE LOST
X
DEATHS
at each age of death
Years lived
Years lost
Potential years of life
The 2,950 deaths resulted in over
98,000 YLL.
41,000
for females
57,000
for males
SIX LEADING DISEASES GROUPS make up 82% of all
Indigenous fatal burden.
0%
20%
Injuries
22%
40%
60%
Cardiovascular
21%
80%
Cancer
17%
100%
Other
18%
Infant/congenital 10%
Gastrointestinal 6%
Endocrine 5%
Males and females contribute DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS
of Indigenous fatal burden from common diseases and injuries.
Males
Females
Injuries
70%
30%
Mental illness
65%
35%
Infections
62%
38%
Cardiovascular
60%
40%
Leading causes of Indigenous fatal burden vary by
AGE GROUP.
Age <1
1. Infant/congenital
2. Infections
Age 1–14
1. Injuries
2. Infant/congenital
Age 15–34
1. Injuries
2. Cardiovascular
Age 35–54
1. Cardiovascular
2. Cancer
Age 55+
1. Cancer
2. Cardiovascular
Indigenous Australians experience
as non-Indigenous Australians.
Four major disease groups
make up almost two-thirds
of THE GAP.
2.6 TIMES the rate of fatal burden
Cardiovascular 27%
Other 34%
Endocrine 10%
Injuries 14%
Cancer 15%
Source: AIHW 2015. Australian burden of disease study: fatal burden of disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people 2010. Australian burden of disease study series no. 2. Cat. No. BOD 2. Canberra: AIHW.
www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129550618
For more information visit www.aihw.gov.au.