Epidemiology

Patterns of morbidity and mortality
-males accounted for approximately 70% of all deaths in the 12-24 category, however the ratio of male to female deaths has been consistently decreasing since 1980 -overall, young people only represented approximately 1% of all deaths which has deceased since 1980 -injury was the highest cause of death which includes transport accidents, intentional self-harm and accidental poisoning -3/4 of the deaths occurred during early adulthood (18-24) rather than younger ages (12-17)
 * __ Mortality __**

-whilst circulatory diseases and cancers dominate the greatest burden overall, for young people the leading causes are mental disorders, injury and poisoning -leading cause of disease for both genders is anxiety and depression. Following this, females suffer asthma and migraines whilst for males it is road-traffic accidents and schizophrenia
 * __ Morbidity __**

Comparisons of health status with that of other populations throughout the life span
- Accidental injuries are more prevalent among these two groups - Cancer and CVD are low for these groups - Both have weight issues such as obesity || - Asthma is most common in young people whereas CVD was the more common in adults - More adults reported their ill health whereas only a small proportion of young people reported bad health - Adults report more long term health conditions such as arthritis and back pain  || - Also they reported high levels of type two diabetes - Young people are more likely to be involved in physical activity - Both elderly and young females have been reported as adopting better health behaviours  ||
 * ** Population Group ** || ** Young people ** ||
 * Infants || -  Both have reported to have respiratory conditions
 * Adults || -  Adults have reported higher incidences of diabetes then young people
 * Elderly || -  Elderly reported more long term and degenerative diseases

 E xposure to risk factors for degenerative disease
-Proportion of current smokers was very similar for males and females (females slightly higher) -The proportion of smokers increases with age -Marijuana was the illicit drug most commonly used by young people (smoking marijuana contributes to emphysema) -Rates of illicit drug use among young people increased with age || -A third of young people drank at high risk levels (short term) -High proportion of young people also drank at high risks levels that cause long term harm || - || -Overuse of joints through sport and physical activity || -The prevalence of overweight and obesity has risen markedly in recent years - More females than males were sedentary or did low levels of physical activity Young males were more likely than females to participate in moderate to high levels of physical activity || -Occurred most frequently in water activities, then passive and active, then recreational activities -A higher proportion of young females than young males had their skin checked for freckles or moles -Declining incidence of melanoma among young people (due to public education?) || -Developing strong bones and ensuring enough calcium intake is crucial in younger years as it provides foundation for the future ||
 * ** DEGENERATIVE DISEASE: ** || ** RISK FACTORS: ** ||
 * Emphysema || Smoking:
 * Liver Disease || Alcohol Use:
 * Heart Disease || -Regular physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk in its own right and also improves levels of cardiovascular risk factors such as overweight, high BP, low levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and type two diabetes
 * Arthritis || -Being overweight/obese is a major long term factor that contributes to the development of this disease
 * Overweight/Obese || -An estimated 1 in 4 males, and 1 in 7 females aged 15-24 years were overweight but not obese
 * Skin Cancer || -Common body parts sunburnt were head and face, arms and hands, and shoulders
 * Osteoporosis/Bone Disease || -More likely to effect the aged, very rare in young people

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http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10451