Health and medical information

Find health and medical information from books, journal databases and reputable online resources at State Library Victoria.

About health statistics

Statistical information around health topics is available to the public from a variety of governmental and public health agencies. Health statistics can be used to understand risk factors for communities, track and monitor diseases, see the impact of policy changes, and assess the quality and safety of health care.

Health statistics are a form of evidence that can support both policy-making, as well as evidence-based medicine practice. Evidence can vary in quality and the applicability to a given situation. It is essential that researchers and policy makers understand how to assess evidence in systematic ways, including how to access transparent, high quality health statistics and information.

Australian Health and Healthcare

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is the independent statutory agency of the Australian Government responsible for statistical collection and analysis, and for giving evidence-based advice to federal, state and territory governments. They have a range of statistical data related to health and health services in Australia.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is Australia's national agency for information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare. Statistics and data developed by the AIHW are used extensively to inform discussion and policy decisions on health, community services and housing assistance.

Health statistics and information can be found on state government health department websites. 

  • AIHW Chronic disease - AIHW commonly reports on 10 major chronic condition groups: arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, mental health conditions and osteoporosis. These chronic conditions were selected for reporting because they are common, pose significant health problems, have been the focus of ongoing AIHW surveillance efforts and, in many instances, action can be taken to prevent their occurrence.
  • ANZDATA Registry - The Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) is a clinical quality registry that collects and produces a wide range of statistics relating to the outcomes of treatment of those with end stage kidney failure.  ANZDATA has been in operation since 1977 and all dialysis and transplant services, in Australia and New Zealand, contribute data to The Registry.

Global Health Statistics