Australia welfare recipients face nine times higher mortality rate

A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has revealed profound health inequalities, showing that people receiving income support have an average mortality rate more than nine times higher than those not accessing the welfare system.

Analyzing data from 2012 to 2022, the study found that of 287,000 deaths among people aged 22 to 64, nearly three in five recipients of disability, unemployment, or carers payments were involved. While cardiovascular disease was the primary cause of death for this group, there were significantly higher rates of suicide, accidental poisoning, and deaths associated with alcohol and drugs.

Specifically, fatalities from alcoholic liver disease were 21 times more prevalent among income support recipients. Researchers noted that addressing these disparities would require government action regarding mental health services, the cost-of-living crisis, and adjustments to income support levels.