Welfare recipients have death rates nine times higher than others
Deaths from cardiovascular disease are much higher among welfare recipients. Deaths from alcohol, drugs, and self-harm are also much higher.
A new study reveals deep health gaps between welfare recipients and others. People getting disability, jobless, or carer payments had death rates more than nine times higher than those not on welfare.
Of 287,000 Australians aged 22 to 64 who died between 2012 and 2022, almost three in five got income support. Cardiovascular disease was the leading killer among those on income support.
People on these payments also died at much higher rates from alcoholic liver disease, suicide, and drug poisoning from accidents. Alcoholic liver disease deaths were 21 times more common among welfare recipients.
The pattern shows deaths linked to hardship and lack of mental health support. Fixing this will need more investment in mental health services and higher income support payments.
Why it mattersEconomic hardship is linked to death rates nine times higher. The data gives policymakers strong reasons to demand change.
AustraliaMillions of Australians on welfare face health risks from economic stress; the data suggests policy changes on income support are urgent.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 21 h ago
