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Over a third of all deaths caused by CVD, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease

Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease were the underlying causes of 36% of all deaths in 2011, according to the report, Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease - Australian Facts: Mortality released recently by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report shows that these three diseases were together the underlying cause of almost 53,000 deaths in 2011. Overall, three out of every five deaths had at least one of these diseases recorded as an underlying or associated cause of death.

The AMA has been a long-standing advocate for the importance of preventative health. The topic was a key feature of the AMA Family Doctor Week, held in July and during which the AMA released a video for GPs to use in the reception rooms. The video highlights for patients the importance of knowing the risk factors for a number of preventable medical conditions and discussing these with their Family Doctor with a view to monitoring, reducing, and managing those risk factors.