UQ School of Public Health says ageing population in bad shape

16 June 2015

Aging of the world’s population is leading to a substantial increase in the numbers of individuals suffering from chronic after-effects of diseases and injuries, according to a new study from the Global Burden of Disease Project that was co-authored by researchers from the UQ School of Public Health.

UQ Public Health School
Study public health at the University of Queensland

The study, Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 301 acute and chronic diseases and injuries in 188 countries, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013, is the first to examine the extent, pattern, and trends of non-fatal health loss across countries.
UQ School of Public Health’s Professor Harvey Whiteford and his Policy and Epidemiology Group at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research (QCMHR) co-authored the study and undertook modelling for all mental and substance use disorders.
“Mental and substance use disorders contribute 21.2 per cent of global disability and are the leading cause of disability followed by musculoskeletal disorders (when combined with fractures and soft tissue injuries) at 20.8 per cent,” Professor Whiteford said.
The study shows that people across Australia are living longer but spending more time in ill health with non-fatal diseases and injuries such as major depressive disorder and low back pain.
The study was published in The Lancet online on 7 June 2015.

UQ School of Public Health

The UQ School of Public Health’s postgraduate programs give health professionals the knowledge and skills they need to define, critically assess and resolve public health problems in a changing world.
The Master of Public Health program prepares health professionals from a broad range of backgrounds, with knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines, to define, critically assess and resolve public health and nutrition problems.
Students can undertake this program in the following fields:

  • Standard
  • Indigenous Health
  • Nutrition
  • Health Promotion
  • Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs

Program: Master of Public Health
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Semester intake: February and July
Duration: 1.5 years
Application deadline: November 30 for the February 2016 intake

Apply to the University of Queensland Public Health School!

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If you have any questions about the UQ School of Public Health, please contact OzTREKK’s Australian Public Health Schools Admissions Officer Rachel Brady at rachel@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.

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