Suicide big factor in FNQ deaths

CAIRNS residents are dying too early in life, with suicide a major contributing factor to the high rate of death in the Far North.

New figures unveiled in the annual Health of Queenslanders report, released yesterday, show that nearly 50 per cent of all deaths recorded in the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service district during 2015 were regarded as premature.

There were 1451 deaths recorded for the region during the year, with 34 per cent lifestyle related.

The report also shows that there was an average of 47 suicide deaths per year between 2013 and 2015 – 31 per cent above the Queensland rate.

The average age of death during the three-year period is 76 years, compared to 80 years statewide, with indigenous people across the region dying at an average age of 60.

Despite the grim prognosis for Far North Queenslanders, Health Minister Steven Miles said there were some positives for Queenslanders.

“This report shows that we are living longer, we are less likely to die early from preventable causes, and we are largely able to access the services we need to treat and manage our health issues,” he said.

“Most notably, this year’s report shows some significant achievements for prevention, including a further reduction in the rate of smoking, which has now fallen to 11 per cent.”

The report also shows there has been a small reduction in smoking and obesity rates during the past two years in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area and Cape York communities.