Trends in mortality and disease burden and risk factors for mortality among adolescents and young adults in Australia compared to OECD countries, 2000–2021: Results from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study
1
School of Public Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia
2
Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia
3
College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
4
Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2061
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescents are often regarded as the healthiest age group, but they remain vulnerable to preventable morbidity and mortality. This study examines the trends in the burden of disease and mortality, and key risk factors for deaths among adolescents and young adults (10–24 years) in Australia, and compared them to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
METHODS:
We utilised the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data for Australia and other OECD countries for the period 2000–2021. Country- and age-specific estimates with 95% uncertainty intervals were extracted from the GBD Compare and Results Tool for all-cause mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We examined the top 15 level-3 risk factors for deaths among adolescents and young adults, reporting rates per 100,000 population. Annualised rates of change (ARoC) for mortality and DALY rates were calculated using a log-linear model to assess temporal trends across defined time periods.
RESULTS:
Between 2000 and 2021, mortality rates among adolescents and young adults declined in Australia and across OECD countries, with a marked reduction in Australia (47.1 to 27.9 per 100,000). DALYs showed a modest decrease (11,850.2 to 10,363.9), placing Australia eighth among OECD nations in 2021. The ARoC in Australia indicated declines of 2.48% in mortality and 0.64% in DALYs, compared with slower reductions across the OECD (0.92% and 0.04%, respectively). Young adults (20–24 years) recorded the highest mortality and DALY rates. In 2021, males in both Australia and the OECD had higher mortality, while Australian females had higher DALYs. Alcohol and drug use were the leading risk factors for death.
CONCLUSIONS:
Australia and OECD countries on average, showed a decline in adolescent and young adult mortality, though reductions in overall disease burden remain limited. Persistent disparities across countries, age groups, and genders highlight the need for targeted strategies, particularly for males and young adults.
Adolescents are often regarded as the healthiest age group, but they remain vulnerable to preventable morbidity and mortality. This study examines the trends in the burden of disease and mortality, and key risk factors for deaths among adolescents and young adults (10–24 years) in Australia, and compared them to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
METHODS:
We utilised the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data for Australia and other OECD countries for the period 2000–2021. Country- and age-specific estimates with 95% uncertainty intervals were extracted from the GBD Compare and Results Tool for all-cause mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We examined the top 15 level-3 risk factors for deaths among adolescents and young adults, reporting rates per 100,000 population. Annualised rates of change (ARoC) for mortality and DALY rates were calculated using a log-linear model to assess temporal trends across defined time periods.
RESULTS:
Between 2000 and 2021, mortality rates among adolescents and young adults declined in Australia and across OECD countries, with a marked reduction in Australia (47.1 to 27.9 per 100,000). DALYs showed a modest decrease (11,850.2 to 10,363.9), placing Australia eighth among OECD nations in 2021. The ARoC in Australia indicated declines of 2.48% in mortality and 0.64% in DALYs, compared with slower reductions across the OECD (0.92% and 0.04%, respectively). Young adults (20–24 years) recorded the highest mortality and DALY rates. In 2021, males in both Australia and the OECD had higher mortality, while Australian females had higher DALYs. Alcohol and drug use were the leading risk factors for death.
CONCLUSIONS:
Australia and OECD countries on average, showed a decline in adolescent and young adult mortality, though reductions in overall disease burden remain limited. Persistent disparities across countries, age groups, and genders highlight the need for targeted strategies, particularly for males and young adults.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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