HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 120

A health report shows that coronary heart disease mortality rates have declined by more than 80% since the 1960s, while cancer mortality rates have decreased by 32% over the last 30 years. However, chronic conditions now represent the vast majority of deaths in Australia.

Explain what this data reveals about Australia's health transition. (3 marks)

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The declining mortality rates demonstrate that medical advances and prevention strategies have successfully reduced deaths from coronary heart disease and cancer.
However, this creates a paradox where chronic conditions still dominate mortality statistics because Australians live longer and develop multiple age-related conditions.
This reveals that Australia has experienced an epidemiological transition where improved survival leads to increased chronic disease burden in older populations.

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The declining mortality rates demonstrate that medical advances and prevention strategies have successfully reduced deaths from coronary heart disease and cancer.
However, this creates a paradox where chronic conditions still dominate mortality statistics because Australians live longer and develop multiple age-related conditions.
This reveals that Australia has experienced an epidemiological transition where improved survival leads to increased chronic disease burden in older populations.