4364.0.55.001 - National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 23/03/2016   
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MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 23 March 2016
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra Time)
37/2016
New report reveals State, Territory health status

Tasmanians eat their vegetables, West Australians eat their fruit and Victorians are the most responsible drinkers, according to 2014-15 figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Louise Gates from the ABS said today's figures from the 2014-15 National Health Survey, provide a nationwide insight into health issues including smoking, alcohol consumption and weight across all States and Territories.

"Of all Australians, Western Australians are the most likely to consider themselves to be in excellent or very good health (60.8 per cent) and are most likely to eat the recommended daily serves of fruit (54.2 per cent)," Louise Gates, Director of Health said.

At the same time, more Western Australians consume alcohol at a level that puts them at risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime according to the National Health and Medical Research Council lifetime risk guidelines (20.8 per cent).

"Tasmania’s older age distribution is only part of the story in explaining their higher rates of many health conditions including Arthritis (23.4 per cent), Heart disease (7.7 per cent) and Hypertension (16.4 per cent), however Tasmania has higher rates even after age is taken into account.

"They are, however, the best state at eating their vegetables with 11.6 per cent of adults consuming the recommended daily serves of vegetables," Ms Gates said.

The younger population of the Northern Territory only explains part of topping the smoking rate with 20.9 per cent of adults being current daily smokers compared to the Australian Capital Territory with 12.4%.

People in the Australian Capital Territory exercise the most with over half of adults aged 18-64 (55.5 per cent) participating in sufficient exercise, although it has the highest proportion of Hayfever sufferers (25.9 per cent).

Victoria had the lowest risky drinking rates with the lowest proportion exceeding both the National Health and Medical Research Council lifetime (15.6 per cent) and single occasion risk (42.5 per cent with New South Wales) guidelines.

Further information can be found in National Health Survey: First Results (Additional Information) (cat. no. 4364.0.55.001) available for free download from the ABS website https://www.abs.gov.au/

Media note:

  • More than two standard drinks a day exceeds the 2009 National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime.
  • More than four standard drinks on a single occasion exceeds the 2009 National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for reducing the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.
  • Sufficient physical activity (duration and session) is defined as 150 minutes of physical activity over five or more sessions per week including walking for fitness/transport, moderate and/or vigorous physical activity.
  • Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.