Australia’s Health Tracker by Socioeconomic Status 2021 updates the first report, published in 2017. These reports track progress towards achieving targets for improved health among Australians by 2025. An additional target for participation in employment by people living with mental ill-health is included in this edition.

This report card looks at the health of adult Australians by socioeconomic status in relation to preventable chronic diseases, the major risk factors for chronic diseases and premature deaths from those diseases and suicide.

The effects of disadvantage need deliberate and urgent attention to give all Australians a better opportunity for improved health – and to prevent and reduce the impact of preventable chronic diseases and death on health services and health expenditure.