HOW AUSTRALIANS RATE THEIR HEALTH
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as 'a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. While the level of disease or infirmity can be assessed by mortality, disability and morbidity statistics, the presence of positive wellbeing is more difficult to measure.
Health and wellbeing
In 2007-08 the majority of Australians aged 15 years and over considered themselves to be in good health, with 85% reporting their health status as good, very good or excellent. This is similar to the proportion reported in the 2004-05 NHS (84%). The proportion of people reporting fair or poor health increased with age, from 7% among those aged 15-24 years to 39% among those aged 75 years and over.
In 2007-08 people with higher educational qualifications were generally more likely to report their health to be excellent. Similarly, people who were employed or with a higher income were more likely to report their health as very good or excellent (table 11.1).
11.1 SELF-ASSESSED HEALTH STATUS(a)(b) - 2007-08 |
|
 | | Excellent | Very good | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Population Characteristics | % | % | % | % | % |
|
| Highest educational qualification(c) | | | | | |
| Bachelor degree or above | 28.7 | 39.0 | 23.4 | 6.6 | 2.2 |
| Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 23.7 | 39.4 | 27.4 | 7.3 | 2.2 |
| Certificate | 17.1 | 36.1 | 32.3 | 10.8 | 3.6 |
| Labour force status | | | | | |
| Employed | 22.9 | 40.0 | 28.3 | 7.3 | 1.5 |
| Unemployed | 20.4 | 29.8 | 32.0 | 14.5 | 3.3 |
| Not in the labour force | 15.0 | 26.6 | 30.3 | 18.4 | 9.7 |
| Location | | | | | |
| Major cities | 21.4 | 35.7 | 29.0 | 10.2 | 3.8 |
| Inner regional | 19.8 | 34.9 | 28.5 | 12.0 | 4.8 |
| Outer regional/ other areas | 15.3 | 35.9 | 30.6 | 13.3 | 4.9 |
| Household composition | | | | | |
| Person living alone | 16.2 | 30.6 | 30.1 | 16.2 | 6.9 |
| Couple only | 17.6 | 35.0 | 28.9 | 12.9 | 5.6 |
| Couple with children | 24.8 | 37.9 | 27.5 | 7.8 | 2.0 |
| All other households | 18.1 | 34.8 | 31.5 | 11.1 | 4.5 |
| Household income(d) | | | | | |
| 1st quintile | 10.1 | 22.4 | 30.6 | 24.6 | 12.2 |
| 5th quintile | 26.1 | 40.5 | 26.1 | 6.1 | 1.1 |
| Index of disadvantage(e) | | | | | |
| 1st quintile | 13.2 | 32.4 | 30.7 | 16.2 | 7.4 |
| 5th quintile | 26.4 | 38.4 | 25.0 | 8.0 | 2.1 |
| Persons | 20.3 | 35.5 | 29.1 | 11.0 | 4.1 |
|
| (a) This table shows the percentage of persons in the specified population (eg persons employed) who have reported their health status as either excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. The age distribution of the population should be considered in interpreting these estimates. |
| (b) Persons aged 15 years and over. |
| (c) 18 years and over |
| (d) Gross weekly cash income. |
| (e) Where the first quintile represents the 20% of the total population living in areas with the most disadvantage and the fifth quintile represents the 20% of the population with the least disadvantage. |
| Source: ABS data available on request, 2007-08 National Health Survey. |
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