I have just reported what was in the news.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/floods-claim-10th-victim/story-fn6ck45n-1225981125546
Guys in their late teens and early twenties think they are invincible and are much more likely to take stupid risks. Consequently the are more like likely to die from accidental deaths than in any other age group. This article reports that young Australians are now much more likely to die in their late teens and early twenties than in earlier childhood, even though many of these deaths could be
prevented.”
MEDIA RELEASE Embargo: 9.01AM AEST 11 September 2009
TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS MOST AT RISK OF DEATH
Young people from developed countries including Australia are up to four times more likely to die in their late teens and early twenties than in earlier childhood, according to a new global study on youth mortality published in The Lancet.
Leading an international team of scientists, researchers at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute found death rate increased rapidly from puberty, particularly in high- income countries where those in their early twenties (20-24 years) died at almost four times the rate of children aged 10-14. Those aged 15-19 years were three times more
likely to die than younger children.
The study is the first to report on the rates and causes of global mortality in young people aged 10-24, with data collected from 192 countries. It found death from injury including traffic accidents, violence and suicide accounted for two in five deaths worldwide and almost half of male deaths.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare contributed to the mortality estimates used in this study. It showed young Australian males were twice as likely to die as females, with motor vehicle accidents (32%) and suicide (20%) the leading causes of death. In females, motor vehicle accidents accounted for 26 per cent of deaths followed by suicide (15%).
The death rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youths was on par with the average for those living in low and middle-income countries and almost four times higher than non- indigenous Australians. The death rate of indigenous males was higher than male deaths in all regions except Africa.
Lead researcher Professor George Patton said current health policies in many developed countries including Australia largely focused on the health status of babies and young children, with further attention needed to reduce death rates among youths.
“In the past 50 years we have seen extraordinary reductions in mortality in earlier childhood but far less in adolescence and young adulthood,” Professor Patton said.
“For this reason, young Australians are now much more likely to die in their late teens and early twenties than in earlier childhood, even though many of these deaths could be prevented.”
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute director Professor Terry Dwyer said the study highlighted the need to improve the health outcomes of youths, both in Australia and globally.
“The study provides accurate data for the first time on how many deaths are occurring in youths and gives us a perspective on the risk our young people face compared to those in the developing world,” Professor Dwyer said.
http://www.mcri.edu.au/Downloads/Me...ns-and-young-adults-most-at-risk-of-death.pdf
