Australia
A ferry and recreational boats pass in front of the Sydney Opera House September 28, 2014. Local media reported that the Sydney Opera House Trust has been awarded an AUD$225,000 ($200,000) grant by the U.S. philanthropic organisation, the Getty Foundation, for a study of the concrete elements of the building to develop long-term conservation strategies. It is one of 10 modern buildings around the world to be given a grant as part of a project titled "Keeping It Modern" which is aimed at conserving 20th-century architecture around the world. Picture taken September 28, 2014. Reuters

The new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows 40 percent of adults are battling at least two chronic diseases to date. Around 20 percent of all Australians are affected by multiple chronic diseases, while half have a chronic disease with heart conditions being one of the most prevalent.

AIHW spokesperson Louise York described the prevailing health problem as “comorbidity,” which refers to having two or more diseases from the eight common chronic diseases in the country. York stated sometimes the diseases occur together simply by chance, “but often it’s because there are some associations between them, such as shared risk factors.”

The eight covered diseases in the analysis were: arthritis, asthma, back problems, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health conditions. In the data, the health institute sees ageing as strongly associated with people with comorbidity.

“Older people are more vulnerable to developing many diseases, and Australians’ increasing life expectancy means a greater chance for multiple conditions to arise,” York said.

Nearly 40 percent of Australians aged 45 and over bear two or more of the eight chronic diseases. Sixteen percent of the population has both arthritis and cardiovascular disease, followed by arthritis and back problems in 10 percent, and back problems and cardiovascular disease in 8 percent.

Australians under 45 years old have the combination of mental health conditions and back problems as the most common comorbidity. The data also shows mental health and asthma, and back problems and asthma follow as commonly experienced comorbidities in the group.

AIHW found poorer health outcomes, more frequent use of health services, and higher healthcare costs are associated with comorbidities in all ages, York said. However, studying comorbidities would help the government to develop better preventive, management and treatment services to meet the needs of those affected.

Health Minister Sussan Ley said the figures highlight the need to reform primary health care. She explained as the population ages, the prevention and treatment of chronic disease turn as an “increasing challenge for the health system and Australians generally.” On the other hand, the newly-formed Primary Health Care Advisory Group travels the country over the next three weeks to discuss primary health care reform.

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