Select Page

Dimension 1: Health

All

Outcome

Young South Australians are physically, mentally and emotionally healthy

Indicator

Children and young people have health-promoting behaviours

THIS FORCES THE TAB TO BE CLOSED INITIALLY

Underweight, overweight or obese

In 2022, 19.0% and 11.0% South Australia children and young people (5-17 years) who were surveyed are categorised as overweight and obese, respectively.
Nationally, 19.5% and 8.3% are categorised as overweight and obese in 2022.

Data Source: SA Population Health Survey and National Health Survey

Alcohol, smoking and drugs

In 2022, the percentage of young people in SA (12-17 years) who reported ever having:

  • Consumed alcohol was 69.5% (66.8% in 2017). Nationally, the percentage was 64.8% (66.0% in 2017).
  • Potentially unsafe or binge-drinking behaviour was 63.3% (63.1% in 2017). Unable to do a nationally comparison due to different definition of unsafe behaviour.
  • Taken illicit drugs (including cannabis) was 13.1% (12.8% in 2017). Nationally, the percentage was 15.4% (16.0% in 2017).
  • Taken cannabis was 11.1% (10.2% in 2017). Nationally, the percentage was 13.4% (15.9% in 2017).

The 2022 SA report for tobacco and vaping has not been released by DASSA.
In 2017, the proportions of young people in SA (12-17 years) who reported ever having:
• Smoked tobacco was 10.2% (13.8% in 2014). Nationally, the proportion was 18.0% (19.1% in 2014).

Data Source: DASSA Bulletin and Australian School Students’ Alcohol and Drugs (ASSAD) Survey

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

Click the legend to include other states

  • Since 2001, the rate of STIs for young people in SA has generally been lower than the national average, except for 2018 and the last three years (2021-2023).
  • In 2023, the rate of STIs for 15-19 years old in SA was 1301 per 100,000, in comparison to the national rate of 1204 per 100,000.
  • QLD, WA and NT have a higher rate of STIs than SA in the 15-19 age group.
  • Since 2001, NSW and VIC have always had a lower rate of STIs in the age group of 15 – 19 years old.

STI reports for SA 15-19 year olds:

  • The rate of chlamydia in 2023 is lower than the rate in 2013, 1028 per 100,000 compared with 1357 per 100,000.
  • The rates of gonorrhoea and syphilis have both continued to increase.
  • In 2023, SA had a rate of 1028 per 100,000 for Chlamydia infections, 266 per 100,000 for Gonorrhoea infections and 7.4 per 100,000 for Syphilis infections.
  • In 2003, there were zero notifications of syphilis infection. Rates remain low, but are increasing. (Hover over or zoom by clicking and dragging the mouse to see the statistics for syphilis.)

Data Source: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System

All children and young peopleDimension 1: HealthChildren and young people have health-promoting behaviour