Deaths due to suicide involved the most psychosocial factors
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In 2022, 4,007 coroner-referred deaths mentioned at least one psychosocial factor. External causes of death were the most common underlying cause for these deaths with 59% being due to suicide and 11% to accidental poisoning.
Almost three-quarters (73%) of suicide deaths and one-third (33%) of accidental poisoning deaths mentioned at least one psychosocial factor (Table 10.1). More than one quarter (28%) of homicide and violence deaths and 3 in 5 sudden infant death syndrome deaths recorded at least 1 psychosocial factor.
Psychosocial factors are complex and are not often seen in isolation. In 2022, among the deaths identifying psychosocial factors, on average 1.8 factors per death were identified.
Underlying cause of death | Total number of deaths | Number of deaths with at least one psychosocial risk factor | Per cent of deaths 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Suicide | 3,249 | 2,374 | 73.1 |
Sudden infant death syndrome | 15 | 9 | 60.0 |
Undetermined intent | 184 | 77 | 41.8 |
Accidental poisoning | 1,318 | 440 | 33.4 |
Homicide and violence | 228 | 63 | 27.6 |
Other unintentional injuries | 445 | 60 | 13.5 |
Drug use disorders | 37 | 5 | 13.5 |
Other external causes | 275 | 29 | 10.5 |
Drowning | 250 | 21 | 8.0 |
Falls | 4,084 | 290 | 7.1 |
All coroner-certified deaths | 23,282 | 4,007 | 17.23 |
Notes
- Deaths with the highest proportion mentioning at least one psychosocial risk factor. Deaths with small numbers (less than 5) are excluded.
- Percentage of deaths due to the underlying cause mentioning at least one psychosocial risk factor.
- Percentage of coroner certified deaths which identify at least one psychosocial factor.
Source: AIHW National Mortality Database.