While Australians are generally healthy, the latest national report card on health from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) warned that there are several areas where Australia compares less favourably to other developed countries.

Australia has relatively high death rates from heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease and has one of the highest rates of obesity among developed nations.

Some other interesting facts in the release were:

  • Coronary heart disease was the leading cause of death for both males and females in 2009, followed by lung cancer for males and stroke for females.
  • In 2008, about 112,500 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia. In 2012 this is expected to rise to 121,500.
  • Cancer survival in Australia is generally high compared with most other countries and mortality rates have been decreasing over the past two decades. In the period 2006-2010, the 5 year relative survival in Australia for all cancers combined was 66%
  • There is a high prevalence of mental disorders in Australia – 45% of Australians aged 16-85 have experienced a mental disorder sometime in their lives.
  • In 2007-08 an estimated 898,800 people had been diagnosed with diabetes at some time in their lives.

The increasing number of cancer cases along with the increasing survival rate is a strong argument for trauma cover which provides a lump sum payment on the diagnosis of malignant cancer. A serious illness such as cancer can take its toll on family finances and receiving a lump sum at this time can help with the medical costs not met by health cover and also provide financial support during recuperation.

The figures also point to the importance of having total and permanent disability (TPD) and income protection cover. Mental disorders and the complications associated with diabetes can result an inability to work for a period of time and the monthly payments from an income protection policy can help cover the loss of income. Where these conditions result in a permanent inability to work the lump sum payout from a TPD policy can help with the cost of supporting that person for the rest of their lives.

Insurance Watch makes it easy to find out the cost of Trauma, TPD and Income Protection cover. Just click on Compare Insurance Quotes Online to compare online quotes from Australia’s largest insurers.