Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Abbreviation	AIHW
Formation	1987
Type	Statutory authority
Headquarters	Canberra, Australia
Region served	Australia
Director	Barry Sandison
Website	www.aihw.gov.au

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is a major national agency established by the Australian Government to provide reliable, regular, and relevant information and statistics on Australia's health and welfare. The AIHW was established in 1987 and operates as a statutory authority within the Health and Ageing portfolio.

History

The AIHW was created in response to the need for a national body to collect and report on health and welfare data. It was established under the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987, which outlines its functions and responsibilities. Since its inception, the AIHW has played a crucial role in informing policy development and public debate on health and welfare issues in Australia.

Functions

The primary functions of the AIHW include:

• Collecting and analyzing data on health and welfare services and outcomes.
• Developing and maintaining national data standards.
• Publishing reports and statistics to inform policy makers, researchers, and the public.
• Collaborating with other government agencies, research institutions, and international organizations to improve data quality and accessibility.

Key Areas of Work

The AIHW focuses on several key areas, including:

• Public health
• Mental health
• Indigenous health
• Aged care
• Disability services
• Child protection
• Housing and homelessness

Publications

The AIHW produces a wide range of publications, including:

• Annual reports on the health and welfare of Australians.
• The biennial "Australia's Health" and "Australia's Welfare" reports.
• Specialized reports on topics such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Data Collections

The AIHW manages several national data collections, including:

• The National Hospital Morbidity Database
• The National Mortality Database
• The National Drug Strategy Household Survey

Governance

The AIHW is governed by a board appointed by the Minister for Health. The board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the AIHW and ensuring it meets its legislative obligations.

Also see

• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Department of Health (Australia)
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Public health in Australia