OVERVIEW
An underlying cause of death is the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly to death. Accidental and violent deaths are classified according to the external cause, that is, to the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury rather than to the nature of the injury.
Data for 2008 have been positively impacted by process improvements. See Technical Note 1: 2008 COD Collection - Process Improvements for further information. These data are also subject to a revisions process. See Technical Note 2: Causes of Death - Revisions Process for further information.
Data cubes
Further information on Underlying Causes of Death is presented in the datacubes associated with this publication. Included are all causes at the 3-digit level by sex for Australia and each state/territory of usual residence.