Health facts: 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond

As we get older, different health conditions and diseases can strike during the various stages of life. We look at the major life-threatening health issues that affect Australians today.

30s

Although less than one person in every 1000 dies in their 30sⁱ, there are still major health risks. The leading causes of death are intentional self-harm and accidents, such as accidental poisoning or exposure to noxious substances, and injury from transport accidents. This is the same for those in their teens and 20sⁱⁱ. Apart from accidents and injury, coronary heart disease is also a cause of deathⁱ.

40s

Serious health problems become more common as people enter their 40s, with the average rate of death increasing to 1.5 per 1,000 of the standard population in 2012ⁱⁱ. Two common causes are malignant cancers of the digestive system, such as small intestinal and bowel cancersⁱⁱⁱ; and coronary heart disease, via heart attacks and angina^iv. Intentional self-harm and accidental exposure to noxious substances are also leading causesⁱ.

 

50s and 60s

Problems with digestive and respiratory organs, such as gastro-intestinal cancer and lung cancer, and coronary heart disease are the leading causes of deathⁱ. The average rate of death rises to 3.3 people per 1,000 standard population for those in their 50s, and to 8.0 people per 1,000 for those in their 60sⁱⁱ. For women, breast cancer becomes one of the leading causes of death in this age bracketⁱ.

Good health tips

You can boost your mental health in a few simple ways.

• Learn new skills or do things that make you feel good, such as spending time with friends or family.
• Help in the community, create new friendships and strengthen your social network.
• If you’re feeling down and out, networks may help you deal with your mental health issues and provide support.

In terms of physical health, you should visit the doctor regularly from the age of 40.

• Checkups give a detailed picture of your ongoing state of health.
• Screening tests and proactive health checks can help in the prevention, detection and early treatment of health problems.
• For women, several health checks can be beneficial in preventing and treating diseases, such as cervical and breast cancers.
• There are health checks for men to detect conditions such as prostate and testicular cancers.