Disease expenditure in Aus
April 27, 2010
THE Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare has released a new
report which provides an overview
of health system expenditure on
disease and injury in Australia
between 2004 and 2005.
According to the report, between
04-05, $52.7 billion (or 70% of the
recurrent health expenditure) in
total was allocated for disease
treatment, split between patient
hospital services, out-of-hospital
medical services, dental services,
optometrical services, prescription
pharmaceuticals, community
mental health services, public
health cancer screening services
and research.
According to the report,
cardiovascular diseases took the
largest chunk of the budget at $5.9
billion, followed by oral health
($5.3b) mental disorders ($4.1b),
musculoskeletal diseases ($4b),
neoplasms ($3.8b), injuries ($3.4b)
and respiratory diseases (3.3b).
Expenditure was generally higher
for older Australians throughout 04-
05 with over one-fifth of the budget
($11b) found to have been spent
on Australians aged over 75yrs, due
mainly to the increased levels of
chronic disease and life threatening
conditions present within the group.
Gender was also found to play a
part in the division of health funds,
with expenditure 18% higher for
females at $28.6 billion, compared
to their male counterparts who
soaked up $24.1 billion.
On average each Australian
female cost the budget $2,781,
whilst each male cost $2,380 -
however once maternity costs were
removed the female cost was found
to drop to $2,618.
Females were also found to have
higher treatment rates for
musculoskeletal diseases and
genitourinary disorders, whilst
males topped the charts for
cardiovascular disease.
For more info, or to view the
report go to www.aihw.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 Apr 10To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 27 Apr 10
