The primary reasons why people in Australia die have been exposed.

In 2022, nearly 40,000 Australians lost their lives due to coronary heart disease, making it the leading cause of death in the country. This information was revealed in a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. According to the report, coronary heart disease was responsible for 20% of all deaths, totaling to 38,273 fatalities. However, the report also highlighted that multiple factors were at play in four out of every five deaths.

The spokesperson for AIHW, Michelle Gourley, acknowledged that determining the exact cause of death can be a complex process. She stated, "Understanding what Australians die from is complex and the answer can vary, depending on how we assess the conditions involved." This means that the cause of death can be influenced by various factors and may not always be straightforward.

While coronary heart disease was responsible for the most deaths, dementia was not far behind at 18.3%. This was followed by high blood pressure, cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetes. On the other hand, lower respiratory infections, cardiac/respiratory arrest, and sepsis were the most common "direct" causes of death. These are the factors that ultimately led to someone's passing.

It's worth noting that the report analyzed all factors listed on death certificates, not just the underlying cause. Gourley explained, "Traditionally, statistics about how people die are based primarily on the initiating or 'underlying' cause of death, but death certificates also contain other information that can be useful in understanding why a death occurred." This means that in addition to the underlying cause, other contributing factors such as acute myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol use disorders, COVID-19, and other contextual factors may also be listed on the death certificate.

Gourley emphasized that this report will aid in developing healthcare strategies to improve the quality of life for Australians. "Using different ways of looking at causes of death can enhance our understanding of the roles played by different diseases and conditions in a person's health and in their death," she said. This information can help identify the most impactful health conditions in the community and guide decision-makers in developing effective strategies and interventions to reduce their impact and promote better health.

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