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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report

Injury and poisoning

In 2015–2019, injury and poisoning was the second leading cause of disease burden and third leading cause of death among First Nations people, accounting for 15% (2,240 deaths) of all deaths in this period.

The rate of death due to injury and poisoning among First Nations people was 62 deaths per 100,000 population, with a rate 2.1 times as high for First Nations males as females (84 compared with 40 deaths per 100,000 population). There was a large gap between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians in the age-standardised rates of underlying causes of death per 100,000 population from all causes of injury and poisoning except for falls (Figure 4.12).

Figure 4.12: Rate of injury and poisoning deaths, top 5 causes, by Indigenous status, 2015–2019

This column charts shows that the leading cause of injury and poisoning deaths for First Nations people based on age-standardised rates was intentional self-harm, followed by accidental poisoning, transport accidents, falls and assault. Age-standardised rates were higher for First Nations people than non-Indigenous Australians for all causes except falls.

Notes
1. Data from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
2. Data are shown for the top 5 causes of injury and poisoning death for First Nations people.
Source: Measure 1.03, Table D1.03.1 – AIHW National Mortality Database. 

Among First Nations people, the most common underlying causes of deaths from injury and poisoning in 2015–2019 were suicides (847 deaths, 38% of all injury and poisoning deaths), transport accidents (417 deaths, 19%), accidental poisoning (413 deaths, 18%), assault (174 deaths, 7.8%) and falls (101 deaths, 4.5%).

For First Nations males, suicide and transport accidents were the first two leading causes of deaths from injury and poisoning, and for First Nations females, the first two leading causes were suicide and accidental poisoning (Figure 4.13).

Figure 4.13: Leading causes of death due to injury and poisoning for First Nations people, as a proportion of total deaths, by sex, 2015–2019

This column chart shows suicide, transport accidents, accidental poisoning and assault accounted for a higher proportion of deaths for First Nations males than females. The proportion of deaths that falls accounted for was similar for First Nations males and females.

Note: Data from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
Source: Measure 1.03, Table D1.03.1 – AIHW National Mortality Database. 

In 2017–19, injury and poisoning was the most common broad cause of hospitalisation for First Nations people (excluding dialysis). Between 2009–10 and 2018–19, the age-standardised hospitalisation rate due to injury and poisoning increased by 40%. The age-standardised death rate due to injury and poisoning among First Nations people increased by 14% between 2010 and 2019 (Figure 4.14).

Figure 4.14: Rate of injury and poisoning hospitalisations (2009–10 to 2018–19) and deaths (2010–2019), by Indigenous status (age-standardised)

The first line chart shows that the age-standardised rate of hospitalisations from injury and poisoning increased for both First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians between 2009-10 and 2018-19, while the gap increased. The second line chart shows that between 2010 and 2019, the age-standardised rate of death caused by injury and poisoning increased among First Nations people, while rate for non-Indigenous Australians remained similar.

Notes 
1. Data on hospitalisations from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
2. Data on deaths New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
Source: Measure 1.03, Table D1.03.5 – AIHW analysis of National Hospital Morbidity Database; and Measure 1.23, Table D1.23.19 – AIHW National Mortality Database.

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