Avoidable and preventable mortality refers to deaths from conditions that are considered avoidable given timely and effective health care, including disease prevention and population health initiatives. Data on avoidable and preventable deaths can provide some indication of the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of the local healthcare system, and also the prevalence of environmental, social and behavioural factors that can affect a person’s health.

The rate of avoidable and preventable deaths in the region is higher than the Queensland and national averages.

• Between 2016 and 2020, almost 3,934 deaths in the region were from potentially avoidable causes. These causes include chronic diseases, as well as external causes such as accidents, fires, falls and injuries. 

• The most common causes of avoidable and preventable deaths in the region were:

1. circulatory system diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease
2. cancer, such as colorectal cancer and breast cancer
3. suicide and self-inflicted injuries
4. respiratory system diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
5. diabetes.

• Between 2016 and 2020, for residents in the region : 

1. About 79,336 years of life were lost in males who died before the aged of 75, while females lost potentially 47, 231 years.
2. Ipswich (47,170 years), Toowoomba (32,795 years) and South Burnett (9,935 years) reported the highest potential years of loss.
3. Suicide and self–inflicted injuries (6.1/1000), Ischhaemic heart disease (3.6/1,000), Breast cancer (2.6/1000) years lost, lung cancer (2.5/1000), and traffic injuries (2.5/1000) were the top-ranked causes of potential life lost in the region.

Immunisation is a simple and effective way of protecting people from serious diseases (Thomas et al. 2021b). It not only helps protect individuals, it also protects the broader community by minimising the spread of disease (Cashman et al. 2016, Thomas et al. 2018,  Thomas et al. 2021b).  

Immunisation rates for our region are similar to national rates. However, regional hospitals are still seeing a high incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, suggesting that more can be done.

• The region has high rates of immunisation for children up to five years of age compared with Queensland and national rates. This is true for all children, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (Department of Health and Aged Care 2020a).

• By the age of five, 95% of all children in the region – and 97% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the region – were fully immunised in 2020. This rate was slightly above the Queensland average of 94% for all children (Department of Health and Aged Care 2020a).

• Children aged two years in Banana (90%), Scenic Rim (89%) and South Burnett (90%) regional areas had slightly lower immunisation coverage, while Scenic Rim had slightly low coverage for children aged five years (90%) (PHIDU 2021).

• Rates of hospital admission for pneumonia and influenza were lower (119 per 100,000 residents) compared with the Queensland and national rates, both of around 140 per 100,000 people.

• In 2021, general practices in the region recorded very high rates of influenza immunisation provided to vulnerable groups, such as people with diabetes (60%), people with respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (68%), and older Australians (69%). These rates were above the national average (AIHW 2021a).

• As of September 2022, the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the region is generally high ranging from 75% in the Cherbourg regional area to more than 95% in Ipswich, Southern Downs and Toowoomba receiving two doses (Department of Health and Aged Care 2022b). 

Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances of successful treatment and prevent pre-mature deaths from selected cancers, (AIWH, 2023).

Cancer screening rates for our region are lower than the national average, particularly for cervical cancer. Rates of melanoma are much higher than the national average.

• Overall, participation in each of the three national cancer screening programs was lower in the region than the national average rates. The long-term effects of delayed screening during the COVID-19 restrictions cannot be quantified using the existing data, however, it will monitored when data become available (AIHW, 2021). 

• Based on the 2019-20 data, the breast screening program participation rate in the region was around 52.0%, compared with the national average of 49.9% among womene aged 50-74 (AIWH, 2023). Burnett, Ipswich Inner and Darling Downs (West) – Maranoa SA3 areas had lower breast screening participation rates in the region.

• From 2018 – 2021 (4-year interim estimate), the cervical screening program participation rate in the region was around 56.3%, compared with the national average of 62.4% among people aged 25-74 (AIWH, 2023). Springfield-Redbank, Granite Belt, Ipswich Inner and Inpswich Hinterland SA3 areas had lower cervical screening participation rates in the region. 

• In 2021-22, the bowel screening participation rate in the region was around 36.1%, compared with the national average of 41% among people aged 50-74 (AIWH, 2023). Ipwish Central, Ipswich-East Collingwood, Park-Redbank North Ipswich, Tivoli-Leichhardt, One mile, Redbank Plains and Goodna SA2 areas reporter lower rates in bowel screening participation.

• Residents told us that when it comes to supporting their health, they would like to see (Health Consumer Queensland 2021c):

1. more reminders, promotions and awareness about the benefits of cancer screening 
2. increased availability of screening services
3. holistic approaches combining general practice and specialist appointments, such as being asked about their screening as part of other consultations.