Hepatitis C has emerged as an important public health issue in Australia. The ACT has reported a cumulative total of 205 new diagnoses of HIV infection from 1988 to 30 June 1998. The incidence rate is the third highest in Australia after NSW and Victoria. The number of deaths from HIV infection to 30 June 1998 was 64. Asthma Australia and New Zealand experience higher prevalence, disease and death rates from asthma than any other developed country, although there has been a consistent decline in deaths since 1990.
Deaths occur more often among female sufferers.
There were 1901 separations in ACT hospitals for the period 1996-97. The Dental Health Program, administered by ACT Community Care, provides a range of services to concession card holders and their dependents. Treatment was required by about half the children screened in 1997-98, all of whom were in high risk groups.