Causes of death have perhaps never been so close to the forefront of public debate as in 2020. The lengths to which we will go to avoid deaths — the policies we are prepared to enact — are clearer than ever before. This should lead to much clearer thinking about how to reduce the burden of death society endured before the pandemic.
So it is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ release of data on causes of death in 2019 is received with more attention than usual. It provides a baseline by which we will compare 2020.
But it does more than that. Looking at the data over time shows that we can change causes of death, by policy, by scientific progress and by health system funding. Accidental drownings and murders are down. So are colon cancer deaths.
But where policy has been slow to tread, and where science lags, deaths rise. Suicide and dementia are a significantly greater cause of death than they were 10 years ago.
For anyone seeking help, Lifeline is on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue is 1300 22 4636.
Our government refused to engage in joined up policy on areas of mental health. It launches Robodebt, undermines workplace protections, while large numbers of individual LNP members continue to vilify non-whites, indigenous peoples and LGBTQ constituents. Its long term view on society by virtue of its policies on climate and corruption are entirely self-serving.
Jason, your article doesn’t match the graphic. The image has no category for suicide. You may be extrapolating suicide from self-harm but they are certainly not the same thing.
The graph shows causes of death. How is death by self-harm different to suicide?
Self harm death is suicide.
The previous verbiagle weighed in at 1,330 pyrotechnic & eclectic words signifying very little.
This is 166 banal ones conveying no information.
Just sayin’
HA! The following article by Know on free speech does not allow comments!
Seriously?
And some say irony is dead!