Queensland has the world's highest rates of malignant (invasive) melanoma, and malignant melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland. Approximately 1,500 new melanomas are diagnosed annually and around 200 Queenslanders die from melanoma each year. During 1990-1993, the incidence of all melanomas increased from 65/100,000 to 73/100,000, and present trends indicate the incidence is likely to increase each year.
There is much evidence to show that sun exposure is a strong determinant of skin cancer and melanoma risk. The general level of sun-related awareness in Queensland is now high, but behaviour change has been slow to follow. Although studies have shown improvements in sun protection behaviours over recent years, overall, levels of protection are still low. The 1993 Queensland Regional Health Survey found that 44% of adults reported rarely or never using sunscreen, 30% rarely or never wearing a long-sleeved shirt and 24% rarely or never wearing a broad-brimmed hat when out in the sun in the summer months.
SIDS is the most common cause of death in infants aged up to 2 years, accounting for some 18% of deaths in this age group in 1994. Of the States and Territories, in 1994, Queensland had the second highest rate of SIDS. While in most other States/Territories there has been a decreasing trend in the incidence of SIDS over the past five years, the rate has remained fairly static in Queensland (see attachment 11). It has been well established that prone sleeping position (on stomach) is associated with an increased risk of SIDS. A recent survey of sleeping position in Queensland showed that although the prevalence of prone sleeping position had dropped between 1992 and 1994 (from 22.5% to 18%), the Queensland 1994 figure (18%) was still much higher than that reported for New South Wales (8.7%), Victoria (11.8%), South Australia (10.6%) and Tasmania (5.1%) in 1992. The most likely explanation for these differences is the conduct of intensive Reduce the Risk television campaigns in many of the other States, but not in Queensland. A "Reduce the Risks" campaign is now underway in Queensland.
Queensland has high rates of pool drowning. Following the introduction of pool fencing legislation in Queensland in February 1991 the number of residential pool drownings decreased dramatically, from around 15 deaths per year between 1988-1990, to 9 deaths in 1991, 7 deaths in 1992 and only 1 death in 1993. However, since 1993 the number of drownings has been rising again. There were 7 deaths in 1994 and 12 deaths in 1995 (see attachment 12) indicating a need for renewed efforts to reduce the number of pool drownings occurring in Queensland.
Last updated:
1 October, 2003
Review Date: January 2004
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