Glossary of health topics

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Abnormal levels of fats in the blood, such as cholesterol or triglycerides. Here it has been defined as total cholesterol ≥5.5 mmol/L, LDL cholesterol ≥3.5 mmol/L, HDL cholesterol <1.0 mmol/L in men or <1.3 mmol/L in women, triglycerides ≥2mmol/L, or use of lipid-modifying medication.

A measure of the overall risk of cardiovascular disease rather than considering individual risk factors, such as cholesterol or blood pressure, in isolation.

A person who has not consumed a full serve of alcohol in the previous 12 months.

A process where a particular population, such as prisoners, show the level of health and signs of ageing at a younger age than another population, such as the general population.

A syndrome caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If HIV is untreated, the body’s immune system is damaged and is unable to fight infections and cancer.

A term used to describe something that comes on sharply and is often brief, intense and severe.

Care provided to patients admitted to hospital that is intended to cure illness, alleviate symptoms of illness or manage childbirth.

The general term for acute otitis media both with chestand without perforation. It is the presence of fluid behind the eardrum and at least one of the following: bulging eardrum, red eardrum, recent discharge of pus, fever, ear pain or irritability. A bulging eardrum, recent discharge of pus and ear pain are the most reliable indicators of acute otitis media..

The diagnosis of a condition or recording of a complaint—either coexisting with the principal diagnosis or arising during the episode of admitted patient care (hospitalisation), episode of residential care or attendance at a health care establishment—that requires the provision of care. Multiple diagnoses may be recorded.

Serving and ex-serving members of the n Defence Force; civilian personnel employed by the Department of Defence are excluded.

An admission to hospital. In this report, the term hospitalisation is used to describe an episode of hospital care that starts with the formal admission process and ends with the formal separation process. The number of separations has been taken as the number of admissions; hence, the admission rate is the same as the separation rate.

A patient who undergoes a hospital's formal admission process.

An incident involving harm to a person receiving health care. It includes infections, falls and other injuries, as well as reactions or complications due to surgery and other procedures, medical devices or medication—some of which may be preventable. Adverse events in health care can occur inside or outside hospitals and can be the cause of hospitalisation as well. The rate of adverse events treated in hospital is used as an indicator of safety in 's health system.

A rate for a specific age group. The numerator and denominator relate to the same age group.

A way to remove the influence of age when comparing populations with different age structures. This is usually necessary because the rates of many diseases vary strongly (usually increasing) with age. The age structures of the different populations are converted to the same 'standard' structure, and then the disease rates that would have occurred with that structure are calculated and compared.

The relative number of people in each age group in a population.

Pollutants that include ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10 or 2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and biological allergens.

A Defence member who holds a Sailor, Other Ranks or Airman/Airwoman rank.

A bodily response triggered by an allergic reaction. The symptoms may include a runny or blocked nose and/or sneezing and watery eyes. Also known as ‘hay fever’.

A health professional who is not a doctor, nurse or dentist. Allied health professionals include (but are not limited to) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, chiropractors, occupational therapists, optometrists, osteopaths, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychologists, sonographers and speech pathologists.

A condition marked by progressive loss of brain function shown by worsening short-term memory, confusion and disorientation. A common form of dementia.

Temporary chest pain or discomfort when the heart's own blood supply is inadequate to meet extra needs, as in exercise. 

A type of eating disorder characterised by the persistent restriction of food and water intake, intense fear of gaining weight and disturbance in self-perceived weight or shape.

The period covering conception up to the time of birth. Synonymous with prenatal.

A planned visit between a pregnant woman and a midwife or doctor to assess and improve the wellbeing of the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. It does not include visits where the sole purpose is to confirm the pregnancy. Also known as an antenatal visit.

A group of mental disorders marked by excessive feelings of apprehension, worry, nervousness and stress. Includes generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and various phobias.

Numerical score used to indicate a baby’s condition at 1 minute and at 5 minutes after birth. Between 0 and 2 points are given for each of 5 characteristics: breathing, colour, heart rate, muscle tone and reflex irritability. The total score is between 0 and 10.

A group of disorders for which there is inflammation of the joints—which can then become stiff, painful, swollen or deformed. The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that do not readily break down.

associated cause(s) of death]]
A cause(s) listed on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, other than the underlying cause of death. They include the immediate cause, any intervening causes, and conditions that contributed to the death but were not related to the disease or condition causing death. See also cause of death.

A common, chronic inflammatory disease of the air passages that presents as episodes of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness due to widespread narrowing of the airways and obstruction of airflow.

A condition where adults have features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

An uneven and fast heartbeat.

The amount of burden that could be avoided if the risk factor were removed.

Intervention after the spontaneous onset of labour to help its progress.

The average number of patient days for admitted patient episodes. Patients who have an admission and a separation on the same date are allocated a length of stay of 1 day.

See potentially avoidable deaths.

A range of conditions related to the bones, joints, connective tissue, muscles and nerves of the back. Back problems are a substantial cause of disability and lost productivity.

Pharmaceuticals listed in the schedule of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) for which pharmaceutical benefits have been paid or are payable. Does not include listed pharmaceutical items where the full cost is met from the patient co-payment under the PBS or RPBS.


An eating disorder characterised by repeated episodes of binge eating. Binge eating means eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control or an inability to stop eating.

The first weight of a baby (stillborn or live born) obtained after birth (usually measured to the nearest 5 grams and obtained within 1 hour).

Fatty substance produced by the liver and carried by the blood to supply the rest of the body. Its natural function is to supply material for cell walls and for steroid hormones, but if levels in the blood become too high this can lead to atherosclerosis (a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries) and heart disease.

The force exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped around the body by the heart. It is written, for example, as 134/70 mmHg, where the upper number is the systolic pressure (the maximum force against the arteries as the heart muscle contracts to pump the blood out) and the lower number is the diastolic pressure (the minimum force against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills again with blood). Levels of blood pressure can vary greatly from person to person and from moment to moment in the same person. See also high blood pressure/hypertension.

  • body mass index
     (BMI): The most commonly used method of assessing whether a person is normal weight, underweight, overweight or obese (see obesity). It is calculated by dividing the person’s weight (in kilograms) by their height (in metres) squared—that is, kg ÷ m2. For both men and women, underweight is a BMI below 18.5, acceptable weight is from 18.5 to less than 25, overweight but not obese is from 25 to less than 30, and obese is 30 and over. Sometimes overweight and obese are combined—defined as a BMI of 25 and over.

A fetal presentation where a baby’s buttocks are at the opening of the uterus. In a frank breech, the legs are straight up in front of the body. In a complete breech the legs are folded, but the feet are above the buttocks. In an incomplete breech, the feet are below the buttocks.

An abnormal widening of the lungs’ air passages (bronchi). This allows infections to develop and leads to coughing with pus and sometimes blood. It has several causes, including cystic fibrosis; reduced immune functioning; and infections such as tuberculosis, whooping cough (pertussis) and measles.

Inflammation of the main air passages (bronchi). May be acute or chronic.

The human-made surroundings that provide the setting for people to live, work and recreate. It incorporates the building and transportation design of a setting, including elements such as open green spaces, bike ways/footpaths, shopping centres, business complexes and residential accommodation, together with their supporting infrastructure (such as transport, water and energy networks).

A type of eating disorder characterised by repeated binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviours. Binge eating episodes involve eating large amounts of food in a short period of time accompanied by feeling a loss of control or inability to stop eating. Compensatory behaviours include self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse, fasting, excessive exercise or the inappropriate use of any drugs for weight control (that is, drugs that have not been prescribed to the individual for weight control).

The process where a medical practitioner or optometrist sends the bill for services directly to Medicare, so the patient pays nothing. Also known as direct billing.

A term referring to the quantified impact of a disease or injury on an individual or population, using the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) measure.

  • caesarean birthAlso caesarean section or C-section): A method of birth where a surgical incision is made in the mother’s uterus via the abdomen to directly remove the baby.

A disease caused by Campylobacter bacteria. It is a one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in and is a notifiable disease.

  • cancer (malignant neoplasm): A large range of diseases where some of the body’s cells become defective, begin to multiply out of control, invade and damage the area around them, and can then spread to other parts of the body to cause further damage.

The number or rate of new cases of cancer diagnosed in a population during a given time period.

Spending on large-scale fixed assets (for example, new buildings and equipment) with a useful life extending over several years.

A condition where there is direct and widespread damage to the heart muscle, weakening it. It can be due to various causes, such as viral infections and severe alcohol abuse. It can lead to an enlarged, thickened and dilated heart as well as heart failure.

Any disease of the circulatory system, namely the heart (cardio) or blood vessels (vascular). Includes angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Also known as circulatory disease.

Bacterial disease that causes the demineralisation and decay of teeth and can involve inflammation of the central dental pulp.

The proportion of people with a disease or medical condition who die within a specified time period.

The range and types of patients (the mix of cases) treated by a hospital or other health service. Casemix classifications (such as n Refined Diagnosis Related Groups) provide a way to describe and compare hospitals and other services for management purposes.

All diseases, morbid conditions or injuries that either resulted in or contributed to death—and the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced any such injuries—that are entered on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Causes of death are commonly reported by the underlying cause of death. See also associatedcause(s) of death and multiple causes of death.

Any disorder of the blood vessels supplying the brain or its covering membranes. A notable and major form of cerebrovascular disease is stroke.

A person aged 0–14 unless otherwise stated.

The number of deaths in a given period among children aged 0–14 per 100,000 children of the same age. Can also be presented for specific age groups within this age range, such as for children aged 0–4 which is also called the under-five mortality rate.

The most common sexually transmissible infection in , caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is treatable and may not cause symptoms; however, it can lead to serious illness if untreated. It is a notifiable disease.

See blood cholesterol.

A term describing something that is persistent and long lasting.

A diverse group of diseases/conditions, such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis, which tend to be long lasting and persistent in their symptoms or development. Although these features also apply to some communicable diseases (infectious diseases), the term is usually confined to non-communicable diseases.

  • chronic kidney disease (CKD): A term that refers to all conditions of the kidney, lasting at least 3 months, where a person has had evidence of kidney damage and/or reduced kidney function, regardless of the specific cause.
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Serious, progressive and disabling long-term lung disease where damage to the lungs (usually because of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis) obstructs oxygen intake and causes increasing shortness of breath. By far the greatest cause of COPD is cigarette smoking.

The inflammation of the lining of one or more sinuses (large air cavities inside the face bones). It occurs when normal draining of the sinuses is obstructed by swelling, excessive mucus or an abnormality in the structure of the sinuses.

A persistent suppurative (see suppurative) discharge for more than 6 weeks from the middle ear through a perforation in the tympanic membrane (eardrum). Importantly, the diagnosis of this condition is appropriate only if the perforation is seen and is large enough to allow the discharge to flow out of the middle ear space.

A perforation (hole) in the tympanic membrane (eardrum) without evidence of discharge or fluid behind the eardrum. It is also known as ‘inactive chronic suppurative otitis media’ and ‘dry perforation’.

Alternative name for cardiovascular disease.

A category in which a patient on the public hospital waiting list for surgery is placed after a clinical assessment of urgency. The categories are as follows]]
Category 1—procedures that are clinically indicated within 30 days; Category 2—procedures that are clinically indicated within 90 days; Category 3—procedures that are clinically indicated within 365 days.

A period of contact between a client and a treatment provider, or team of providers. An episode is closed when treatment is completed, when there has been no further contact between the client and the treatment provider for 3 months, or when treatment has stopped.

A gastrointestinal infection that commonly affects hospitalised patients and people in a community.

A group of people who share a similar characteristic (for example, age).

The sum of the direct burden and the indirect burden.

This disease comprises cancer of the colon, cancer of the rectosigmoid junction and cancer of the rectum (ICD-10 codes C18–C20).

An appointed Defence member who holds a rank of Midshipman or Officer Cadet, or higher.

Disease or illness caused by infectious organisms or their toxic products. The disease may be passed directly or indirectly to humans through contact with other humans, animals or other environments where the organism is found.

Non-residential health services offered to patients/clients in an integrated and coordinated manner in a community setting, or the coordination of health services elsewhere in the community. Such services are provided by, or on behalf of, state and territory governments.

A situation where a person has two or more health problems at the same time. Also known as multimorbidity.

  • health condition: A broad term that can be applied to any health problem, including symptoms, diseases and various risk factors (such as high blood cholesterol, and obesity). Often used synonymously with disorder.
  • conductive hearing loss : A deviation of hearing threshold from the normal range associated with reduced conduction of sound through the outer ear, tympanic membrane (eardrum) or middle ear, including the ossicles (middle ear bones).

A range determined by variability in data, within which there is a specified (usually 95%) chance that the true value of a calculated parameter lies.

A condition that is recognised at birth, or is believed to have been present since birth, including conditions inherited or caused by environmental factors.

A structural, functional or metabolic abnormality that is present at birth, even if not diagnosed until months or years later.

Dollar amounts for different years that are adjusted to reflect the prices in a chosen reference year. This allows spending over time to be compared on an equal dollar-for-dollar basis without the distorting effects of inflation. The comparison will reflect only the changes in the amount of goods and services purchased—changes in the ‘buying power’—not the changes in prices of these goods and services caused by inflation.

The costs incurred by an individual for payment of a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) medicine.

Term used in discussions of disability that refers to the basic activities of daily living: self-care, mobility and communication.

A limitation where someone needs help with—or is having difficulty in using aids and equipment for—self-care, mobility and/or communication. See also disability, mild or moderate core activity limitation and severe or profound core activity limitation.

A disease due to blockages in the heart’s own (coronary) arteries, expressed as angina or a heart attack. Also known as ischaemic heart disease.

A series of one or more external beam radiotherapy treatments prescribed by a radiation oncologist. A patient can receive more than one course of radiotherapy at the same time (courses that are simultaneous or overlap). One course of radiotherapy may cover multiple phases and multiple treatment plans.

A treatment given with the intention of curing disease.

Expenditures reported for a particular year, unadjusted for inflation. Changes in current price expenditures reflect changes in both price and volume.

A serious hereditary disease where mucus from glands is too thick and sticky, affecting the lungs and other organs. The person is prone to frequent chest infections, with related problems such as severe bronchiectasis, and has a much shortened life expectancy.

See disability-adjusted life year.

The bringing together (linking) of information from two or more different data sources that are believed to relate to the same entity (for example, the same individual or the same institution). This linkage can yield more information about the entity and, in certain cases, provide a time sequence—helping to ‘tell a story’, show ‘pathways’ and perhaps unravel cause and effect. The term is used synonymously with ‘record linkage’ and ‘data integration’.

A general term for disorders characterised by worsening mental processes (such as Alzheimer disease or vascular dementia). Symptoms include impaired memory, understanding, reasoning and physical functioning.

Any issue with the teeth or gums that can affect a person’s oral health.

Services provided by registered dental practitioners. These include cleft lip and palate services; dental assessment; oral and maxillofacial surgery items; orthodontic, pedodontic and periodontic services; and other dental items listed in the Medical Benefits Schedule. The term covers dental services funded by health funds, state and territory governments and by individuals’ out-of-pocket payments.

The term used to describe someone with at least one natural tooth.

Warlike or non-warlike service overseas by members assigned for duty with a United Nations mission or a similar force.


A group of mood disorders with prolonged feelings of being sad, hopeless, low and inadequate, with a loss of interest or pleasure in activities and often with suicidal thoughts or self-blame.

  • deseal reseal (DSRS): A term used to describe the formal F-111 aircraft fuel tank repair and maintenance programs that required degraded tank sealant (deseal) to be removed and a new sealant (reseal) applied. As well as these formal programs, ad hoc maintenance was undertaken as part of routine tank repairs and maintenance to keep the aircraft operational.

Any factor that can increase the chances of ill health (risk factors) or good health (protective factors) in a population or individual. By convention, services or other programs that aim to improve health are usually not included in this definition.

  • diabetes  (diabetes mellitus): A chronic condition where the body cannot properly use its main energy source—the sugar glucose. This is due to a relative or absolute deficiency in insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose enter the body’s cells from the bloodstream and be processed by them. Diabetes is marked by an abnormal build-up of glucose in the blood; it can have serious short- and long-term effects. For the three main types of diabetes, see type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

The production of diagnostic images; for example, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, X-rays, ultrasound and nuclear medicine scans.

An artificial method of removing waste substances from the blood and regulating levels of circulating chemicals—functions usually performed by the kidneys.

The electronic management of health information. This includes using technology to collect and share a person’s health information. It can be as simple as a person wearing a device to record how much exercise they do each day, to health care providers sharing clinical notes about an individual.

The burden calculated in burden of disease analysis to capture the main disabling consequences of the disease. For example, the direct diabetes burden includes diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy.

An umbrella term for any or all of the following: an impairment of body structure or function, a limitation in activities, or a restriction in participation. Disability is a multidimensional concept and is considered as an interaction between health conditions and personal and environmental factors. See also core activity limitation, mild ormoderate core activity limitation and severe or profound core activity limitation.

  • disability-adjusted life year  (DALY): A year (1 year) of healthy life lost, either through premature death or equivalently through living with disability due to illness or injury. It is the basic unit used in burden of disease and injury estimates.

Separation from the n Defence Force.

Foods and drinks not necessary to provide the nutrients the body needs, but which may add variety. Many are high in saturated fats, sugars, salt and/or alcohol, and are energy dense.

A physical or mental disturbance involving symptoms (such as pain or feeling unwell), dysfunction or tissue damage, especially if these symptoms and signs form a recognisable clinical pattern.

A term used synonymously with condition.

Gross household income less income tax, the Medicare levy and the Medicare levy surcharge. It is the household income left after taxes are deducted that is available to support consumption and/or saving.

A set of violent behaviours between current or former intimate partners—typically, where one partner aims to exert power and control over another, usually through fear. Domestic violence can include physical violence, sexual violence, and emotional and psychological abuse.

A class of oral diabetes drugs that work by inhibiting the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4). This inhibiting action enhances the levels of active incretin hormones, which act to lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon secretion (a hormone that has the opposite effect of insulin by increasing blood glucose levels).

Deaths that include those due to acute instances of poisoning, or where drug use (including dependence) was thought to be the underlying causal factor. They are classified due to their intent—accidental, suicidal, undetermined intent or assault. Further, they include deaths from illicit drugs (for example, heroin, amphetamines and cocaine) and licit drugs (for example, benzodiazepines and anti-depressants). Alcohol- and tobacco-related deaths are excluded from this definition.

Hospital care with selected principal diagnoses of drug use disorder or harm (accidental, intended or self-inflicted) due to selected drugs.

Abnormal levels of fats, such as cholesterol or triglycerides, in the blood.

Elective care in which the procedures required by patients are listed in the surgical operations section of the Medicare Benefits Schedule, excluding specific procedures often done by non-surgical clinicians.

An indicator of whether the treatment required for the patient is clinically assessed as an emergency. An emergency is where the treating clinician has assessed that the waiting time for treatment cannot exceed 24 hours.


(ESKD): The most severe form of chronic kidney disease (CKD), also known as Stage 5 CKD or kidney failure.

A common, long-term brain condition where a person has repeated seizures.

  • estimated resident population (ERP): The official n Bureau of Statistics estimate of the n population. The ERP is derived from the 5-yearly Census counts and is updated quarterly between each Census. It is based on the usual residence of the person. Rates are calculated per 1,000 or 100,000 mid-year (30 June) ERP.

Includes serving, reserve, and ex-serving members in the n Defence Force.

A person who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes or equivalent tobacco in his or her lifetime, but does not smoke now.

An unusual weather event or phenomenon at the extreme of a ‘typical’ historical distribution, such as a violent storm, exceptionally high levels of rainfall, or a heat wave or drought that is longer or hotter than normal.

Violence between family members as well as between current or former intimate partners. For example, family violence can include acts of violence between a parent and a child. ‘Family violence’ is the preferred term used to identify experiences of violence for Indigenous people as it encompasses the broad range of extended family and kinship relationships within which violence may occur.

Quantified impact on a population of premature death due to disease or injury. Measured as years of life lost (YLL).

Number of live births per 1,000 females aged 15–49.

  • fetal death (stillbirth): Death, before the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother, of a product of conception of 20 or more completed weeks of gestation, or of 400 g or more birthweight. Death is evidenced by the fact that, after such separation, the fetus does not breathe or show any other signs of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles.

A homicide where a parent (or step-parent) kills a child.

The first 3-months of a pregnancy. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: first trimester (conception to 13 weeks), second trimester (13 to 26 weeks) and third trimester (26 to 40 weeks).

Hand-held, hinged obstetric instrument applied to the fetal head to assist birth.

A standard measure of the size of a workforce that takes into account both the number of workers and the hours that each works. For example, if a workforce comprises 2 people working full time 38 hours a week and 2 working half time, this is the same as 3 working full time—that is, an FTE of 3.

A term relating to the stomach and the intestine.

An infection that occurs when a micro-organism or its toxic product affects the gastrointestinal tract (including the stomach and intestines) causing illness such as pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and other symptoms.

The rise in the general price level of goods and services in the economy.

  • general practitioner
     (GP): A medical practitioner who provides primary comprehensive and continuing care to patients and their families in the community.

Private health insurance to cover non-hospital medical services that are not covered by Medicare, such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, other therapies and ambulance. Also known as ‘ancillary’ or ‘extras’ insurance.

The study of genes and their functions, and related techniques. Genomics addresses all genes and their interrelationships to identify their combined influence on the growth and development of the organism.

Duration of pregnancy in completed weeks, calculated either from the date of the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period to her baby’s date of birth, or via ultrasound, or from clinical assessment during pregnancy, or from examination of the baby after birth.

A form of diabetes that is first diagnosed during pregnancy (gestation). It may disappear after pregnancy but signals a high risk of diabetes occurring later on in life. See diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

A common sexually transmissible infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It is treatable; however, if left untreated, it can lead to serious illness. It is a notifiable disease.

A disease brought on by excess uric acid in the blood, causing attacks of joint pain (most often in the big toe) and other problems.

  • gross domestic product
     (GDP): A statistic commonly used to indicate national wealth. It is the total market value of goods and services produced within a given period after deducting the cost of goods and services used up in the process of production but before deducting allowances for the consumption of fixed capital.

A disease of the gums and other tissues that attach teeth to the jaws.

  • haemorrhage
     (bleeding): The escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, externally or internally.

A type of stroke caused by the rupture and subsequent bleeding of an artery in the brain or its surroundings.

Term relating to whether the body (including the mind) is in a well or ill state. With good health, the state of the body and mind are such that a person feels and functions well and can continue to do so for as long as possible.

The average number of years that a person at a specific age can expect to live in full health; that is, taking into account years lived in less than full health due to the health consequences of disease and/or injury.

Activities related to formulating and administering government and non-government health policy, and in setting and enforcing standards for health personnel and health services. One activity, for example, is the regulation and licensing of providers of health services. The term includes only those administrative services that cannot be allocated to a particular health good or service. Such services might include, for example, maintaining an office for the Chief Medical Officer, a departmental liaison officer in the office of the Minister, or other agency-wide items for which it is not possible to derive appropriate or meaningful allocations to particular health programs.

See indicator.

The rise in the price level of goods and services in the health sector.

The ability of people to access, understand and apply information about health and the health care system so as to make decisions that relate to their health.

A change in the health of an individual or population due wholly or partly to a preventive or clinical intervention.

A broad term to describe activities that help communities and individuals increase control over their health behaviours. Health promotion focuses on addressing and preventing the root causes of ill health, rather than on treatment and cure.

Research with a health socioeconomic objective, which is done in tertiary institutions, private non-profit organisations, and government facilities. It excludes commercially oriented research that private business funds, the costs of which are assumed to be included in the prices charged for the goods and services (for example, medications that have been developed and/or supported by research activities).

The overall level of health of an individual or population, taking into account aspects such as life expectancy, level of disability, levels of disease risk factors and so on.

The sense for perceiving sounds; includes regions within the brain where the signals are received and interpreted.

Describes the degree of impairment associated with hearing loss in the ‘better hearing ear’, using a scale of mild, moderate, severe and profound. It is based on the degree of deviation from normal thresholds in the ‘better ear’, calculated as a 3frequency average of the threshold of hearing (in decibels Hearing Level; dB HL)—500 Hz (hertz), 1,000 Hz and 2,000 Hz.

Any hearing threshold response (using audiometry—the testing of a person’s ability to hear various sound frequencies) outside the normal range, to any sound stimuli, in either ear. Hearing loss in a population describes the number of people who have abnormal hearing. Hearing loss may affect one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).

Life-threatening emergency that occurs when a vessel supplying blood to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked completely by a blood clot. The medical term commonly used for a heart attack is myocardial infarction. See also cardiovascular disease.

A condition that occurs when the heart functions less effectively in pumping blood around the body. It can result from a wide variety of diseases and conditions that can impair or overload the heart, such as heart attack, other conditions that damage the heart muscle directly (see cardiomyopathy), high blood pressure, or a damaged heart valve.


Total cholesterol levels above 5.5 mmol/L.

Definitions can vary but a well-accepted definition is from the World Health Organization: a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or more or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more, or if [the person is] receiving medication for high blood pressure. Also see blood pressure.

Private insurance cover for the cost of in-hospital treatment by medical practitioners, and hospital costs such as accommodation and theatre fees.

Services provided to a patient who is receiving admitted patient services or non-admitted patient services in a hospital, but excluding community health services, health research done within the hospital, non-admitted dental services, patient transport services and public health activities. They can include services provided off site, such as dialysis or hospital in the home.

Synonymous with admission and separation; that is, an episode of hospital care that starts with the formal admission process and ends with the formal separation process. An episode of care can be completed by the patient’s being discharged, being transferred to another hospital or care facility, or dying, or by a portion of a hospital stay starting or ending in a change of type of care (for example, from acute to rehabilitation).

A group of two or more related or unrelated people who usually live in the same dwelling, and who make common provision for food or other essentials for living; or a single person living in a dwelling who makes provision for his or her own food and other essentials for living, without combining with any other person.

A measure to assess whether a dwelling is overcrowded. The number of bedrooms a dwelling should have to provide freedom from crowding is determined by the Canadian National Occupancy Standard. This standard assesses bedroom requirements based on the following criteria:

there should be no more than 2 people per bedroom children aged under 5 of different sexes may reasonably share a bedroom children aged 5 and over of opposite sex should have separate bedrooms children aged under 18 and of the same sex may reasonably share a bedroom single household members aged 18 and over should have a separate bedroom, as should parents or couples.

  • human immunodeficiency virus  (HIV): A virus that damages the immune system and makes it harder for a person to fight infection. There is no cure for HIV but there are treatments available to stop its progression.

See high blood pressure.

Illegal drugs, drugs and volatile substances used illicitly, and pharmaceuticals used for non-medical purposes.

A state of feeling unwell, although the term is also often used synonymously with disease.

See diagnostic imaging.

A procedure designed to induce immunity against infection by using an antigen to stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies. See vaccination.

  • immunochemical faecal occult blood test
     (iFOBT): A test used to detect tiny traces of blood in a persons’ faeces that may be a sign of bowel cancer. The iFOBT is a central part of ’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

Blood glucose levels between 6.1 to 6.9 mmol/L, which is above normal but less than diabetes levels.

Condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but less than required for a diagnosis of diabetes, but which signal an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.


The number of new cases (of an illness or event, and so on) occurring during a given period. Compare with prevalence.

The ratio of the observed cancer incidence rate in the study population to the estimated (weighted) rate in the comparison population(s).

A key statistical measure selected to help describe (indicate) a situation concisely so as to track change, progress and performance; and to act as a guide for decision making. It may have an indirect meaning as well as a direct one; for example, ’s overall death rate is a direct measure of mortality but is often used as a major indicator of population health. Taking this point further, time spent watching television may be used as one indicator of physical inactivity.

In burden of disease analysis (where the disease of interest is considered to be a risk factor (that is, disease-as-risk) for associated or ‘linked’ diseases), it is the burden from these linked diseases due to the disease-as-risk. For example, diabetes is considered to be a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, dementia and other diseases, so the indirect burden is the burden attributable to diabetes for these linked diseases.

Intervention to stimulate the onset of labour.

A child aged under 1.

The number of deaths among children aged under 1 in a given period, per 1,000 live births in the same period.


  • influenza  (flu): An acute contagious viral respiratory infection marked by fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, cough and sore throat.

Vaginal delivery using forceps or vacuum extraction.

Hormone produced by the pancreas which regulates the body’s energy sources, most notably the sugar glucose. It is an injectable agent that helps lower blood glucose levels by moving glucose into cells to be used as energy.

The reason treatment is provided to a patient; the intention may be:

prophylactic curative palliative.

Any action taken by society or an individual that ‘steps in’ (intervenes) to improve health, such as medical treatment and preventive campaigns.

A set of violent behaviours between current or former intimate partners. See also domestic violence.

A serious though uncommon disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. Five types cause human illness in : serogroups A, B, C, W and Y. It is a notifiable disease.

A reduced or blocked blood supply. See also ischaemic heart disease.

See also heart attack and angina (chest pain). Also known as coronary heart disease. See also ischaemia.

A type of stroke due to a reduced or blocked supply of blood in the brain. Also known as cerebral infarction.

Inflammatory arthritis in children that begins before their 16th birthday and lasts at least 6 weeks. Also known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

  • Kessler Psychological Distress Scale—10 items (Kessler-10; K10): A survey device that is used to measure non-specific psychological distress in people. It uses 10 questions about negative emotional states that participants in the survey may have had in the 4 weeks leading up to their interview. The designers recommend using only for people aged 18 and over.

Having a functional kidney transplant or receiving regular dialysis.

A procedure whereby a healthy kidney is taken from one person and surgically placed into someone with end-stage kidney disease. The kidney can come from a live or deceased donor.

The time between the date of hire and date of discharge from the n Defence Force.

A series of life stages that people are normally expected to pass through as they progress from birth to death. For example, stages often included are: birth and infancy, childhood, youth, working age, and older age.

An indication of how long a person can expect to live, depending on the age they have already reached. Technically, it is the number of years of life left to a person at a particular age if death rates do not change. The most commonly used measure is life expectancy at birth.

The accumulated risk from drinking either on many drinking occasions, or on a regular (for example, daily) basis over a lifetime. The lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than 2 standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury.

A disease or condition on the causal pathway of the risk factor, and therefore more likely to develop if exposed to the risk.

Fatty substances, including cholesterol and triglycerides, that are in blood and body tissues.

  • live birth  (live born): The complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life (such as the beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles), whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such birth is considered live born (WHO definition).

A term used in the n Bureau of Statistics National Health Surveys to describe a health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 6 months. See also chronic diseases/conditions.

Weight of a baby at birth that is less than 2,500 grams.

An X-ray of the breast. It may be used to assess a breast lump or as a screening test in women with no evidence of cancer.

An official order.

Mother’s age in completed years at the birth of her baby.

A highly contagious infection, usually of children, that causes flu-like symptoms, fever, a typical rash and sometimes serious secondary problems such as brain damage. It is preventable by vaccination.

The midpoint of a list of observations that have been ranked from the smallest to the largest.

The age point at which half the population is older than that age and half is younger than that age.

Expenditure on registered medical practitioners services. It excludes medical services provided to public patients admitted to public hospitals and medical services provided to public patients at outpatient clinics in public hospitals. Most medical services in are provided on a fee-for-service basis and attract benefits from the n Government under Medicare. These include both private in-hospital medical services and out-of-hospital medical services. This term also includes medical services not from the Medical Benefits Schedule, such as vaccines for overseas travel, as well as some expenditure by the n Government under alternative funding arrangements.

A doctor who has completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine.

A national, government-funded scheme that subsidises the cost of personal medical services for all ns and aims to help them afford medical care. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) is the listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the n Government. The schedule is part of the wider Medicare Benefits Scheme (Medicare).

A 2% tax on taxable income charged to fund Medicare. The Medicare levy is reduced if taxable income is below a certain threshold.

A levy paid by n taxpayers who do not have private hospital cover and who earn above a certain income.

Benefit-paid pharmaceuticals and other medications.

A cancer of the body’s cells that contain pigment (melanin), mainly affecting the skin. Survival rates are very high for those whose melanoma is detected and removed early, but low if not.

  • mental illness (or mental disorders): Disturbances of mood or thought that can affect behaviour and distress the person or those around them, so that the person has trouble functioning normally. They include anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia.

An aggressive form of cancer occurring in the mesothelium—the protective lining of the body cavities and internal organs, such as the lungs, heart and bowel.

A medication that lowers blood glucose levels by reducing the amount of stored glucose released by the liver, slowing the absorption of glucose from the intestine, and helping the body to become more sensitive to insulin so that it works better.

A person, typically a woman, who is trained to help women in childbirth.

The limitation of a person who needs no help but has difficulty with core activities (moderate) or has no difficulty (mild) with core activities, but uses aids or equipment, or has one or more of the following restrictions:

cannot easily walk 200 metres cannot walk up and down stairs without a handrail cannot easily bend down to pick up an object from the floor cannot use public transport can use public transport but needs help or supervision needs no help or supervision but has difficulty using public transport. See also disability, core activity limitation and severe or profound core activity limitation.

A process of keeping a regular and close watch over important aspects of the public’s health and health services through various measurements, and then regularly reporting on the situation, so that the health system and society more generally can plan and respond accordingly. The term is often used interchangeably with surveillance, although surveillance may imply more urgent watching and reporting, such as the surveillance of infectious diseases and their epidemics. Monitoring can also be applied to individuals, such as hospital care where a person’s condition is closely assessed over time.

The ill health of an individual and levels of ill health in a population or group.

Number or rate of deaths in a population during a given time period.

The ratio of the observed mortality rate in the study population to the estimated (weighted) rate in the comparison population(s).

A situation that occurs when a person has two or more health problems at the same time. Also known as comorbidity.

All the causes listed on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. These include the underlying cause of death and all associated cause(s) of death. See also cause of death.

  • multiparous (multipara): A pregnant woman who has had at least one previous pregnancy resulting in a live birth or stillbirth.

A term that relates to the muscles, joints and bones.

One of a group of conditions, along with arthritis and other conditions, that affects the bones, muscles and joints. These other conditions include back pain and problems, juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, osteoporosis (low bone density) and rheumatoid arthritis.

An online platform for storing a person’s health information, including their Medicare claims history, hospital discharge information, diagnostic imaging reports, and details of allergies and medications.

A setting that includes all vegetation and animal species (including micro-organisms), habitats and landscapes on earth, but excludes aspects of the environment that result from human activities. The natural environment includes air, water and climate.

The death of a live born baby within 28 days of birth.

A group of serious birth defects that occur in utero during the development of the brain or spinal cord.

A branch of medicine concerned especially with the structure, function and diseases of the nervous system.

A person who does not smoke now and has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes or the equivalent tobacco in his or her lifetime.

A patient who receives care from a recognised non-admitted patient service/clinic of a hospital, including emergency departments and outpatient clinics.

The quantified impact on a population of ill health due to disease or injury. Measured as years lived with disability (YLD), which is also sometimes referred to as years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLL).

Medical services delivered to patients who are not admitted patients.

People who have declared that they are not of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. Compare with Other ns.

The use of drugs either alone or with other drugs to induce or enhance a drug experience for performance enhancement or cosmetic purposes (this includes pain-killers/analgesics, tranquillisers/sleeping pills, steroids and meth/amphetamines and other opioids such as morphine or pethidine).

A group of communicable diseases that are reported to state and territory health departments, as required by legislation. The information enables public health responses and the monitoring of disease activity.

The intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs.

Marked degree of overweight, defined for population studies as a body mass index of 30 or over. See also overweight.

An environment that promotes obesity among individuals and populations. It includes physical, economic, political and sociocultural factors.

The branch of medicine and surgery concerned with childbirth and midwifery.

Chemical, biological, psychosocial, physical and other factors in the workplace that can potentially cause harm.

Diseases that result from breathing in harmful dusts or fumes, such as silica, asbestos and coal dust. This exposure typically occurs in the workplace. Pneumoconiosis, or scarring of the lung tissue caused by inhaled dust, is one of the most common forms of occupational lung disease.

A measure of the association between an exposure and an outcome. The odds ratio represents the odds that an outcome will occur, given a particular exposure, compared with the odds of the outcome’s occurring in the absence of that exposure. The value of the odds ratio is interpreted as:

an odds ratio close or equal to 1 means that the exposure has little or no effect on the odds of the outcome’s occurring an odds ratio greater than 1 means that the exposure increases the odds of the outcome’s occurring an odds ratio less than 1 means that the exposure decreases the odds of the outcome’s occurring.

A chemical substance that has a morphine-type action in the body. Opioids are most commonly used for pain relief, but they are addictive and can lead to drug dependence.

  • opioid substitution therapy (OST): The provision to opioid drug users of a prescription medicine that replaces their drug of choice (for example, heroin) and helps them to manage their addiction. This medicine is usually supplied in a clinically supervised setting. OST is also called opioid replacement therapy or maintenance therapy. The three medicines most commonly used as OST in are methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine-nalaxone.

The practice of primary eye care, including testing for visual acuity and prescribing treatments for eye disorders.

The health of the mouth, tongue and oral cavity; the absence of active disease in the mouth.

Activities done through an organisation, such as through a club or sporting body; this may also include school physical education classes.


A condition when bone mineral density is lower than normal but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.

A condition that causes bones to become thin, weak and fragile, such that even a minor bump or accident can break a bone.

People who have declared that they are not of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and people whose Indigenous status is unknown. Compare with non-Indigenous.

Services that health practitioners (other than doctors and dentists) provide. These other practitioners include, but are not limited to, audiologists, chiropractors, dieticians, homeopaths, naturopaths, occupational therapists, optometrists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, practice nurses, practitioners of Chinese medicine and other forms of traditional medicine, and speech therapists.

Pharmaceuticals for which no Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) benefit was paid. They include:

pharmaceuticals listed in the PBS or RPBS, the total costs of which are equal to, or less than, the statutory patient contribution for the class of patient (under co-payment pharmaceuticals) pharmaceuticals dispensed through private prescriptions that do not fulfil the criteria for payment of benefit under the PBS or RPBS over-the-counter medicines, including pharmacy-only medicines, aspirin, cough and cold medicines, vitamins and minerals, herbal and other complementary medicines, and various medical non-durables, such as condoms, adhesive and non-adhesive bandages.

Primarily people whose hospitalisations were self-funded, or funded by worker’s compensation, motor vehicle third party personal claims or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

An eating disorder that may present with symptoms of anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa but may not meet the full diagnosis criteria for any of these disorders individually. People with other specified feeding and eating disorder may present with symptoms such as disordered eating, weight control behaviour, distorted body image or an overvaluation of body weight or shape.

All forms of inflammation and infection of the middle ear. Active inflammation or infection is nearly always associated with a middle ear effusion (fluid in the middle ear space).

  • otitis media with effusion
     (OME): The presence of an intact eardrum and middle ear fluid without symptoms or signs of acute infection. Other terms used to describe OME include ‘glue ear’, ‘serious otitis media’ and ‘secretory otitis media’. OME may be episodic or persistent.

A health-related change due to a preventive or clinical intervention or service. (The intervention may be single or multiple, and the outcome may relate to a person, group or population, or be partly or wholly due to the intervention.)

The total costs incurred by individuals for health care services over and above any refunds from Medicare and private health insurance funds.

Medicine that one can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy or retail outlet.

Defined for the purpose of population studies as a body mass index of 25 or over. See also obesity.

Defined for the purpose of population studies as a body mass index between 25 and less than 30.

  • palliative treatment  (or palliative care): Treatment given primarily to control pain or other symptoms. Consequent benefits of the treatment are considered secondary contributions to quality of life.

See Papanicolaou smear.

  • Papanicolaou smear
     (Pap smear
    ): a procedure to detect cancer and precancerous conditions of the female genital tract, which is the screening test of the National Cervical Screening Program. During a Pap test, cells are collected from the transformation zone of the cervix—the area of the cervix where the squamous cells from the outer opening of the cervix and glandular cells from the endocervical canal meet. This is the site where most cervical abnormalities and cancers are detected. For conventional cytology, these cells are transferred onto a slide, and sent to a pathology laboratory for assessment. Collected cells are then examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities.

A homicide where a child kills a parent or step-parent.

A general term for the study of disease, but often used more specifically to describe diagnostic services that examine specimens, such as samples of blood or tissue.

The number of full or partial days of stay for patients who were admitted to hospital for an episode of care and who underwent separation during the reporting period. A patient who is admitted and separated on the same day is allocated 1 patient day.

The services of organisations primarily engaged in transporting patients by ground or air—along with health (or medical) care. These services are often provided for a medical emergency, but are not restricted to emergencies. The vehicles are equipped with lifesaving equipment operated by medically trained personnel.

Patient transport services include public ambulance services or flying doctor services, such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Care Flight.

Also included are patient transport programs, such as patient transport vouchers or support programs to help isolated patients with travel to obtain specialised health care. From 2003–04 onwards, this category includes patient transport expenses included in the operating costs of public hospitals.

Service provided by a n person who is serving, or has served, with a Peacekeeping Force outside . These are military operations in support of diplomatic efforts to restore peace between belligerents, who may not be consenting to intervention and may be engaged in combat activities.

Describes something that pertains to, or that occurred in, the period shortly before or after birth (usually up to 28 days after).

A fetal or neonatal death of at least 20 weeks gestation or at least 400 grams birthweight.

The number of perinatal deaths per 1,000 total births (fetal deaths plus live births).

A disease characterised by pain in the extremities, often the legs, due to an inadequate blood supply to them.

Members of the permanent forces of the n Defence Force—Permanent Navy, Regular Army and Permanent Air Force—who usually serve in a full-time capacity and commit to an initial minimum period of service commensurate with the job role, rank and level of training.

A highly infectious bacterial disease of the air passages marked by explosive fits of coughing and often a whooping sound on breathing in. It is preventable by vaccination. Also known as whooping cough.

The treatment of disease and illnesses using pharmaceutical drugs.

The treatment or management of physical disability, malfunction, or pain using therapeutic exercises, physical modalities such as massage and hydrotherapy, assistive devices, and patient education and training. Often referred to as physiotherapy.


Official population numbers compiled by the n Bureau of Statistics at both state and territory and statistical local area levels by age and sex, as at 30 June each year. These estimates allow geographical areas of differing population sizes and age structures to be compared.

Typically, the organised response by society to protect and promote health, and to prevent illness, injury and disability. Population health activities generally focus on:

prevention, promotion and protection rather than on treatment populations rather than on individuals the factors and behaviours that cause illness. In this sense, the term is often used synonymously with public health. It can also refer to the health of particular subpopulations, and comparisons of the health of different populations.

The death of a live born baby after 28 days and within 1 year of birth.

A term that indicates an occurrence after childbirth, with reference to the mother.

  • post-traumatic stress disorder
    ): The development of a set of reactions in people who have experienced a traumatic event that might have threatened their life or safety, or others around them. Examples of traumatic events can include war or torture, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, or disasters. A person who has PTSD can experience feelings of helplessness, horror or intense fear.

Deaths among people younger than age 75 that are avoidable in the context of the present health care system. They include deaths from conditions that are potentially preventable through individualised care and/or treatable through existing primary or hospital care. They are a subset of premature deaths. The rate of potentially avoidable deaths in is used as an indicator of the health system’s effectiveness. Potentially avoidable deaths are classified using nationally agreed definitions. (A revised definition was adopted in the National Healthcare Agreement 2015 leading to differences in the counts and rates of potentially avoidable deaths published previously.)

  • potentially preventable hospitalisations
     (PPHs): Hospital separations for a specified range of conditions where hospitalisation is considered to be largely preventable if timely and adequate care had been provided through population health services, primary care and outpatient services. The PPH conditions are classified as vaccine preventable, chronic and acute. Respective examples include influenza and pneumonia, diabetes complications and COPD, and dental and kidney conditions. The rate of PPHs is currently being used as an indicator of the effectiveness of a large part of the health system, other than hospital inpatient treatment.

A condition that complicates pregnancy and is characterised by high blood pressure, fluid retention and protein in the urine. The placental function may be compromised.

  • premature deaths
     (or premature mortality): Deaths that occur at a younger age than a selected cut-off. The age below which deaths are considered premature can vary depending on the purpose of the analysis and the population under investigation. In this report, deaths among people aged under 75 are considered premature.

Pharmaceutical drugs available only on the prescription of a registered medical or dental practitioner and available only from pharmacies.

Birth before 37 completed weeks of gestation.

The number or proportion (of cases, instances, and so forth) in a population at a given time. For example, in relation to cancer, refers to the number of people alive who had been diagnosed with cancer in a prescribed period (usually 1, 5, 10 or 26 years). Compare with incidence.

Action to reduce or eliminate the onset, causes, complications or recurrence of ill health or injury.

The diagnosis established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning an episode of patient care (hospitalisation), an episode of residential care or an attendance at the health care establishment.

These are services delivered in many settings, such as general practices, community health centres, Aboriginal health services and allied health practices (for example, physiotherapy, dietetic and chiropractic practices) and come under numerous funding arrangements. Expenditure on primary health care includes recurrent expenditure on health goods and services, such as on medical services, dental services, other health practitioner services, pharmaceuticals and community and public health services.

Primary Health Networks were established on 1 July 2015. These networks are intended to play a critical role in connecting health services across local communities so that patients, particularly those needing coordinated care, have the best access to a range of health care providers, including practitioners, community health services and hospitals. Primary Health Networks work directly with general practitioners, other primary care providers, secondary care providers and hospitals.

An adult aged 18 and over held in custody, whose confinement is the responsibility of a corrective services agency. Prisoners includes sentenced prisoners, and prisoners held in custody awaiting trial or sentencing (remandees). Juvenile offenders, people in psychiatric custody, police cell detainees, people held in immigration detention centres, or ns held in overseas prisons, are not included.

Patients whose hospitalisations had any funding from private health insurance.

A privately owned and operated institution, catering for patients who are treated by a doctor of their own choice. Patients are charged fees for accommodation and other services provided by the hospital and by relevant medical and allied health practitioners. The term includes acute care and psychiatric hospitals as well as private free-standing day hospital facilities.

A person admitted to a private hospital, or a person admitted to a public hospital who decides to choose the doctor(s) who will treat them or to have private ward accommodation—this means they will be charged for medical services, food and accommodation.

A clinical intervention that is surgical in nature, carries a procedural risk, carries an anaesthetic risk, and requires specialist training and/or special facilities or equipment available only in the acute-care setting.

Treatment given to prevent the occurrence of disease at a site that shows no sign of active disease but is considered to be at risk.

Factors that enhance the likelihood of positive outcomes and lessen the chance of negative consequences from exposure to risk.

Unpleasant feelings or emotions that affect a person’s level of functioning and interfere with the activities of daily living. This distress can result in having negative views of the environment, others and oneself, and manifest as symptoms of mental illness, including anxiety and depression (see also Kessler Psychological Distress Scale).

Activities aimed at benefiting a population, with an emphasis on prevention, protection and health promotion as distinct from treatment tailored to individuals with symptoms. Examples include the conduct of anti-smoking education campaigns, and screening for diseases such as cancer of the breast and cervix. See also population health.

A hospital controlled by a state or territory health authority. In , public hospitals offer free diagnostic services, treatment, care and accommodation to all eligible patients.

Services provided by public hospitals from the balance of public hospital expenditure remaining after costs of community health services, public health services, non-admitted dental services, patient transport services, and health research activities conducted by public hospitals have been removed and reallocated to their own expenditure categories.

Patients who are admitted to hospital at no charge and are mostly funded through public sector health or hospital service budgets.

A group derived by ranking the population or area according to specified criteria and dividing it into five equal parts. The term can also mean the cut-points that make these divisions—that is, the 20th, 40th, 60th and 80th percentiles—but the first use is the more common one. Commonly used to describe socioeconomic areas based on socioeconomic position.

  • Rank (n Defence Force)

A term that describes one’s position in the n Defence Force operational hierarchy. Analysis by rank is presented for two broad groups]]
commissioned officer, and all ranks other than commissioned officer.

A rate is one number (the numerator) divided by another number (the denominator). The numerator is commonly the number of events in a specified time. The denominator is the population ‘at risk’ of the event. Rates (crude, age-specific and age-standardised) are generally multiplied by a number such as 100,000 to create whole numbers.

Expenditure that has been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation (for example, expenditure for all years has been compiled using 2015–16 prices). Removing the effects of inflation allows comparisons to be made between expenditures in different years on an equal dollar-for-dollar basis. Changes in real expenditure measure the change in the volume of goods and services produced (see constant prices).

Spending (expenditure) on goods and services that are used during the year (for example, salaries). Compare with capital expenditure.

Non-hospital medical services that are not classified as primary health care (see unreferred medical services).

A person who is subject to persecution in their home country and in need of resettlement. The majority of individuals considered to be a refugee are identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and referred by the UNHCR to .

A situation where a family’s income is low compared with that of other families. It is assessed by the proportion of households with an equivalised income that is less than 50% of the national median equivalised household income.


A chronic respiratory condition affecting the airways and characterised by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough. Conditions include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Active measure taken shortly after birth to assist the baby’s ventilation and heartbeat, or to treat depressed respiratory effort to correct metabolic disturbances.

A procedure to restore adequate blood flow to the heart or other part of the body, usually after the supply has been reduced or blocked, as in angina or a heart attack. Revascularisation includes methods such as angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

A chronic, multisystem disease whose most prominent feature is joint inflammation and resulting damage, most often affecting the hand joints in symmetrical fashion. It can occur in all age groups but most commonly appears between ages 20–40. Its causes are not certain but involve auto-immune processes.

The probability of an event’s occurring during a specified period of time.

Any factor that represents a greater risk of a health disorder or other unwanted condition or event. Some risk factors are regarded as causes of disease; others are not necessarily so. Along with their opposites (protective factors), risk factors are known as determinants.

Geographic areas outside urban areas such as towns and cities. In this report, rural and remote encompasses all areas outside ’s Major cities according to the remoteness classification of the n Statistical Geographic Standard. In many instances, the term ‘rural and remote’ is used interchangeably with the classification terms ‘regional and remote’.

Fats, most often of animal origin, that are solid at room temperature and whose fatty acid chains cannot incorporate additional hydrogen atoms. In excess, they tend to raise blood cholesterol.

A systematic method of detecting risk factors or suspicious abnormalities among people who are symptom free, so that health problems can be either prevented or followed up, diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Screening is usually done through special programs aimed at higher risk groups in the population. A variant of screening, often known as case-finding, is where clinicians opportunistically look for risk factors or abnormalities in people when seeing them for other reasons; for example, when many doctors routinely measure blood pressure in all patients consulting them.

Activities done in front of a screen, such as watching television, working on a computer, or playing video games.

The occurrence, attempt or threat of sexual assault experienced by a person since the age of 15. Sexual violence can be perpetrated by partners in a domestic relationship, former partners, other people known to the victims, or strangers.

An infectious disease that can be passed from one person to another by sexual contact. Examples include chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections.

A homicide where one sibling kills another sibling.

A situation that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep. It has the same cause as snoring—reduced air flow at the back of the mouth—but is more extreme. More common in males and the obese, it leads to poorer mental functioning during the day and a greater risk of accidents.

A mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability and connectivity.

A mobile device, consisting of a package that includes a computer and display, attached to a bracelet.

Someone who reports smoking daily, weekly or less than weekly.

The onset of labour without intervention.

A serve that contains 10 grams of alcohol (equivalent to 12.5 millilitres of alcohol). It is also referred to as a full serve.

  • Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia
     (SAB): An infection of the bloodstream. When associated with health care procedures, these infections are considered to be potentially preventable.

A class of drugs commonly used to lower blood cholesterol.

A statistical measure indicating how likely the observed difference or association is due to chance alone. Rate differences are deemed to be statistically significant when their confidence intervals do not overlap, since their difference is greater than what could be explained by chance.

See fetal death (stillbirth).

An event that occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain suddenly becomes blocked or bleeds. A stroke often causes paralysis of parts of the body normally controlled by that area of the brain, or speech problems and other symptoms. It is a major form of cerebrovascular disease.

Use of illicit drugs (illegal drugs, drugs and volatile substances used illicitly, and pharmaceuticals used for non-medical purposes).

A disorder of harmful use and/or dependence on illicit or licit drugs, including alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs.

Serious thoughts about ending one’s own life.

The collective term for suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts.

An action to deliberately end one’s own life.

A class of medicines that lower blood glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin.

A term that describes pus produced in response to inflammatory bacterial infections.

A sexually transmitted infection, which if untreated can cause irreversible damage. It is caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. It is a notifiable disease.

Health services delivered using information and communication technologies, such as videoconferencing.

The obstruction of a blood vessel, usually a large vein, with thrombotic material carried in the blood from its site of origin to block another vessel.

Decay of the teeth caused by caries, and progressing to cavities in the enamel and the dentine.

An infectious disease of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. If left untreated, follicles form on the upper eyelids and grow larger until the granulations invade the cornea, eventually causing blindness.

In the context of military services, the process of moving from full-time n Defence Force service into civilian life.

The period of contact between a client and a treatment provider or a team of providers. In the context of alcohol and other drug treatment, each treatment episode has 1 principal drug of concern and 1 main treatment type. If the principal drug or main treatment changes, a new episode is recorded.

In the context of alcohol and other drug treatment, the type of activity that is used to treat the client’s alcohol or other drug problem. Examples include assessment only, counselling, information and education only, pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, support and case management only, and withdrawal management (detoxification).

A category used in the emergency departments of hospitals to indicate the urgency of a patient’s need for medical and nursing care. Patients are triaged into 1 of 5 categories on the Australasian Triage Scale. The triage category is allocated by an experienced registered nurse or medical practitioner.

A compound made up of a single molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid. Triglycerides are the main constituents of natural fats and oils.

A form of diabetes mostly arising among children or younger adults and marked by a complete lack of insulin. Insulin replacement is needed for survival. See diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

The most common form of diabetes, occurring mostly in people aged 40 and over, and marked by reduced or less effective insulin. See diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

see child mortality rate.

The disease or injury that initiated the train of events leading directly to death, or the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced the fatal injury. See also cause of death and associated cause(s) of death.

A category defined for population studies as a body mass index less than 18.5.

A medical service provided to a person by, or under the supervision of, a medical practitioner—being a service that has not been referred to that practitioner by another medical practitioner or person with referring rights. In this report, these are medical services that are classified as primary health care (see referred medical services).


A procedure to assist birth using traction or rotation on a suction cap applied to the baby’s head.

Metabolic and behavioural risk factors that increase the risk of vascular disease. They also increase the risk of some vascular diseases themselves (‘diseases-as-risks’, such as diabetes, stroke, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease) that involve or increase the risk of damaged blood vessels, and which jointly and individually increase the risk of dementia.

A disease, parasite or infection transmitted from one host to another by a vector. The largest group of vectors are insects and other arthropods, most commonly mosquitoes, ticks, flies, lice and fleas. The abundance and distribution of vector populations (and hence the spread of vector-borne diseases) is closely intertwined with environmental conditions that encourage their survival.

Adjustment of the characteristics of one group so they are statistically similar to the characteristics of another group so that comparisons of the effect under study can be more certain.

A state of health, happiness and contentment. It can also be described as judging life positively and feeling good. For public health purposes, physical wellbeing (for example, feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall wellbeing. Because wellbeing is subjective, it is typically measured with self-reports, but objective indicators (such as household income, unemployment levels and neighbourhood crime) can also be used.

See pertussis


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