Australian Institute of Health and Welfare release latest death data

The AIWH's top 20 causes of deaths in the Bogan Local Government Area in the 2017 calendar year is dominated by a raft of cancers and other illnesses.

But 47 per cent of the 19 male deaths recorded were classed as 'potentially avoidable'.

Skin cancer is one of the main potentially avoidable causes of death, while hypertensive heart and renal disease and ischaemic heart disease are a couple of the circulatory system diseases also on the list.

Other avoidable causes of death include fires and burns, transport accidents, assault, events of undermined intent and exposure to forces of nature, to name a few of the 46 listed.

According to the data, 37 people died in Nyngan in 2017 and the median age was 75 years old.

Thirty nine per cent of these deaths were classed as premature (under 75) and 27 per cent were deemed potentially avoidable.

Of these deaths, 19 were males averaging 73 years old while the average age for females is 79.

Death data is used to examine patterns and trends to help explain differences and changes in the health of the Australian population. Causes of death are documented on a death certificate.

The statistics are based on the underlying cause of death only.

The leading cause of death in the Bogan LGA from 2013 to 2017 was coronary heart disease, followed by lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular disease and dementia.

In NSW, 52,778 people died in 2017 with a median age of 82. Just under a third of these deaths deemed premature.

Do you have something to say? Send a Letter to the Editor HERE. We love to hear from you.