Comparative hospitalisation and mortality rates of aboriginal and non-aboriginal Western Australians in their sixth and seventh decades.

BACKGROUND

Aboriginals have higher hospitalisation and mortality rates and die, on average, about 15 years earlier than non-Aboriginals in Western Australia (WA).

AIMS

To investigate Aboriginal morbidity and mortality rates in WA in comparison with the rest of the population, with particular reference to the ages of 50 to 65 years.

METHODS

Mortality rates from 1983-1989 inclusive for Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in WA were compared. Major causes of Aboriginal mortality in males and females were matched to the ages at which similar rates from the same causes occurred in non-Aboriginals. Rate ratios (Aboriginal:non-Aboriginal) for causes of death at ages 60-64 years were determined. Hospitalisation rates for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people aged 50-64 years in WA in 1988 were used to estimate hospitalisation rate ratios.

RESULTS

Hospitalisation rates in WA were much higher among 50 to 64 year old Aboriginals than non-Aboriginals for most diseases, particularly for infectious and parasitic diseases, and injury and poisoning. Admissions for circulatory diseases were double to four times as frequent among Aboriginals. The main causes of deaths in Aboriginal males were circulatory diseases, injury and poisoning, respiratory diseases, neoplasms, and digestive diseases; in Aboriginal females the main causes of deaths were circulatory diseases, neoplasms, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and injury and poisoning. Except for neoplasms, deaths from these causes occurred among 50-54 year old Aboriginals at rates that were experienced by non-Aboriginal people ten to 30 years later in life. These results underline special needs of the Aboriginal population that have not been adequately met by appropriate services.