List of Topics within this section:

A person’s health is influenced by health behaviours that are part of their individual lifestyle. Behavioural risk factors such as poor eating patterns can have a detrimental effect on health – many health problems experienced by the Australian population could be prevented by reducing the exposure to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco smoking, being overweight or obese, high alcohol use, physical inactivity and high blood pressure.

Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health and welfare issue in Australia and globally. It is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children, and places an enormous burden on services, hospitals and the criminal justice system.

Many of the key drivers of health and welfare are in our everyday living and working conditions – the circumstances in which we grow, live, work and age. These social determinants include factors such as income, education and employment, and can strengthen or undermine the health and welfare of individuals and communities.

Latest reports

Latest findings

Almost 1 in 2 people who died due to drugs (excluding alcohol) in 2024 recorded at least one psychosocial risk factor Nearly 1 in 20 women aged 15–44 who gave birth in 2023 had new onset hypertension in pregnancy Over 127,800 clients received specialist alcohol and other drug treatment across Australia in 2024–25