Queensland s wellbeing A QCOSS report

Transcription

1 Queensland s wellbeing 2016 A QCOSS report April 2016

2 About QCOSS The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) is the state-wide peak body representing the interests of individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing poverty and disadvantage, and organisations working in the social and community service sector. For more than 50 years, QCOSS has been a leading force for social change to build social and economic wellbeing for all. With members across the state, QCOSS supports a strong community service sector. QCOSS, together with our members continues to play a crucial lobbying and advocacy role in a broad number of areas including: sector capacity building and support homelessness and housing issues early intervention and prevention cost of living pressures including low income energy concessions and improved consumer protections in the electricity, gas and water markets energy efficiency support for culturally and linguistically diverse people early childhood support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse peoples. QCOSS is part of the national network of Councils of Social Service lending support and gaining essential insight to national and other state issues. QCOSS is supported by the vice-regal patronage of His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland. Lend your voice and your organisation s voice to this vision by joining QCOSS. To join visit the QCOSS website ( ISBN Queensland Council of Social Service Ltd. This publication is copyright. Nonprofit groups have permission to reproduce part of this book as long as the original meaning is retained and proper credit is given to the Queensland Council of Social Service. All other persons and organisations wanting to reproduce material from this book should obtain permission from the publishers. Page 2 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

3 Table of contents About QCOSS... 2 Table of contents... 3 Introduction... 6 Queensland s wellbeing framework... 6 Individuals and families domains... 8 Communities domains... 8 Using this report... 9 Domain 1 Safe Violence is increasing in Queensland Queensland has the third highest rate of partner violence against women in the country Elder abuse is usually committed by sons and daughters Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eight times more likely to be placed in out of home care In recent years, fewer Queenslanders have been victims of break-ins Questions for discussion about improving our safety Domain 2 Healthy Queenslanders health status has not changed much in 10 years With the ageing population, more Queenslanders are developing multiple chronic health conditions One in eight Queenslanders experience high or very high levels of psychological distress The suicide rate among males has doubled in six years Nearly a quarter of young Queensland adults are not seeing a dentist when they need to One in 10 Queenslanders defer purchasing medication due to the cost Queenslanders do not eat enough fruit or vegetables, hardly exercise and two thirds are overweight or obese Questions for discussion about improving our health Domain 3 Adequate standard of living Electricity disconnections due to non-payment have been increasing Young Queenslanders are twice as likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population One in five young people are not fully engaged in education or work Under-employment is higher for young people, women and single parents Queensland women earn 18 per cent less than men and the gap has increased in the longer term Queenslanders, particularly one parent families, are experiencing more financial stress Page 3 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

4 Low-income households spend nearly a third of their income on housing Questions for discussion about improving our standard of living Domain 4 Personal relationships Older males are at significant risk of being socially isolated People with low English proficiency are least likely to be able to access support in a time of crisis Discussion questions on improving our personal relationships Domain 5 Community connections Queenslanders are volunteering less Less Queenslanders feel they have a say in the community Half of Queenslanders believe most people can be trusted More than half of older Queenslanders do not use the internet Most Queenslanders think it s a good thing for society to be made up of different cultures Participation in religious or spiritual groups is dropping quickly in Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are eight times more likely to be in prison Fewer young people are being diverted to alternatives to the criminal justice system Discussion questions on improving our community connectedness Domain 6 Achieving in life Kindergarten participation in Queensland has tripled in five years to reach almost 100 per cent A quarter of Queensland children are developmentally vulnerable Children s literacy and numeracy is improving, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children lag significantly School attendance among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is lower than non-indigenous students More Queenslanders are studying beyond school, but some groups are missing out People who live in disadvantaged areas are much more likely to have lower levels of literacy and numeracy Discussion questions about how we can achieve more in life Domain 7 Secure for the future Nearly two thirds of people receiving Newstart or Youth Allowance do so for more than one year One in six Queensland households depend almost completely on government pensions and allowances Long term homelessness most affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who have experienced prison, and people who have experienced foster care Questions for discussion about improving our future security Page 4 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

5 Appendix A Communities domains Domain 1: Healthy, safe and inclusive communities Domain 2: Dynamic, resilient local communities Domain 3: Sustainable built and natural environments Domain 4: Culturally rich and vibrant communities Domain 5: Democratic and engaged communities Page 5 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

6 Introduction Queensland is a state of 4.8 million people. We are the most geographically dispersed state in Australia. We are home to people from more than 200 different countries and 100 different religious beliefs. We have the second largest Indigenous population in Australia. But what do we really know about the day-to-day lives of Queenslanders? How are Queenslanders faring, compared to people living in other parts of Australia? How are different groups of Queenslanders coping in life? This document begins to unpack the facts on the wellbeing of Queenslanders, through two different lenses: data that tells us what is happening in the lives of individuals and families. data that tells us what is happening in a community to build opportunity and respond to need. This gives us a multi-dimensional lens through which to view, measure and track the wellbeing of the population. It helps us pinpoint areas of poverty and disadvantage, and understand factors that might protect people or amplify risk. And importantly, it gives us an evidence base to inform investment in policies, programs and interventions that are properly targeted and effective. Queensland s wellbeing 2016 report provides the first level of data and analysis, focused on the wellbeing of individuals and families in Queensland. In the future, this information will be supplemented by a second level of data on the collective wellbeing of Queensland s communities. Queensland s wellbeing framework The question of wellbeing for individuals and families can only be properly understood within the context of the broader social, political, economic, and environmental circumstances in which they live. People s experiences are framed within the context of what is happening in their communities. As such, QCOSS framework seeks to highlight what enables and prevents social inclusiveness and wellbeing for individuals and families in our communities. What pathways have been found to broaden access to services, to build opportunity, to respond to need, and to enable thriving communities? Conversely, in what context does disadvantage and disillusionment grow, are opportunities more likely to be lost, and under what conditions do communities become fragmented or destabilised? For example, a person s health is not only dependent on what they eat, how much they exercise or if they have a medical condition, but also on how their community is set up - whether there are walking and bike paths and whether they can access transport to get to medical facilities. Likewise, having accessible built and natural environments doesn t just affect a person s health, this also impacts on other aspects of life, such as a person s relationships and their safety. Similar connections can be found between all seven domains included in Queensland s wellbeing This framework seeks to demonstrate how these domains are all inter-connected, and how they impact on people s lived experience in varied and complex ways. Page 6 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

7 Figure 1: Queensland s wellbeing framework communities individuals & families What do we mean? What do we know? What are we doing? How are we tracking? Page 7 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

8 Individuals and families domains The domains for individuals and families have been adapted from the Personal Wellbeing Index originally developed by Deakin University s Centre of Quality of Life. This is a validated scale devised to measure a person s subjective wellbeing. Visit the Quality of Life Indicators at Deakin University for more information. These domains are used because they provide a comprehensive description of wellbeing. By using existing validated concepts tied to a survey instrument, we have an opportunity in the future to survey the population using the Personal Wellbeing Index to discover whether people s subjective wellbeing lines up with what the data tells us. This will offer insights into where we are doing well, where efforts are required to improve people s wellbeing and where further research is required to better understand the issues. The seven domains for individuals and families are: Safe Healthy Adequate standard of living Strong personal relationships Community connections Achieving in life Secure for the future. Communities domains The domains for communities are based on previous QCOSS research on community resilience indicators, which itself built on earlier work in this area by Community Indicators Queensland. See the Community Indicators Queensland website. These indicators respond to increasing evidence that communities with high levels of trust in community members and in civic/political leaders, strong networks and ties and members with an active interest in the community (collective action) are more resilient in the face of hardship. The five domains for communities are: Healthy, safe and inclusive Dynamic and resilient Sustainable Culturally-rich and vibrant Democratic and engaged. More detail on each of these domains is provided in Appendix A. Data for each of these domains will be developed through a combination of both community engagement (involving focus groups and wider surveys) and statistical analysis within specific Queensland communities. Appendix A includes some questions QCOSS would like to explore further with communities when gathering data on these domains. Go to Appendix A. Page 8 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

9 Using this report Queensland s wellbeing 2016 report provides the latest data available on indicators pertinent to each of the seven individual and family wellbeing domains and information on how each indicator links to other aspects of individual and family life in Queensland. 1 The report can be used to understand: For which population life is improving and for whom it is not changing or is getting worse. Who in our community is in most need in relation to particular aspects of life. Which groups are experiencing multiple disadvantage. How Queensland is tracking compared to other jurisdictions in creating a fair and equitable society. People working in delivering social services, as well as people working in research and policy areas, can use this data to design programs, prepare funding submissions and advocate for change. At the end of each domain, there is a set of discussion questions to help individuals and teams reflect on the links between different domains and what cultural, policy and practice issues may be impacting on the evidence presented. 1 This report only includes publicly available data. The ABS collects a range of relevant information that is unpublished. For future reports, special requests will be made to access other relevant data about the Queensland population and additional indicators will be included. Page 9 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

10 Domain 1 Safe Being safe means being free from harm or hurt, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Certain populations are less likely to be safe. For example, women are significantly more likely to be victims of domestic violence and increasingly we are uncovering a specific form of neglect and abuse targeted at older people. Exposure to violence and abuse puts people at greater risk of developing a range of health and social problems. Children are especially vulnerable and victims/survivors of childhood abuse and neglect can develop long-term psychological and behavioural issues. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of their safety. Page 10 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

11 Percentage (per cent) Violence is increasing in Queensland In 2010, about one in eight Queenslanders had experienced or was threatened with physical assault in the previous 12 months. This figure is up from about one in 12 in People in the 18 to 24 year age group were at the highest risk of violence of all age groups. Queensland is the only state or territory where the physical assault victimisation rate increased between 2008 and Figure 2: Proportion of the population who were a victim of threatened or physical assault in the last 12 months, Queensland Year Source 1: ABS Cat No General Social Survey, Australia, 2002, 2006, 2010 Certain population groups are more likely to experience violence. Lone parents are at higher risk of assault, being almost twice as likely to have been the victim of an assault or break-in, than those in a couple family. 3 People with mental illness are also at greater risk of assault. Research conducted in the United States has found that more than a quarter of persons with severe mental illness were victims of a violent crime, 11 times higher than the general population. 4 Experience of violence increases people s fear and anxiety. It reduces people s confidence and self-esteem and their capacity to participate fully in education, employment and life or access appropriate services. 2 ABS Cat. No Measures of Australia's Progress, ABS Multiple Disadvantage in Measures of Australia's Progress, 2004 Cat. No Teplin, L. A., McClelland, G. M., Abram, K. M., & Weiner, D. A Crime victimization in adults with severe mental illness: comparison with the National Crime Victimization Survey in Archives of general psychiatry. 62, 8, pp Page 11 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

12 Percentage (per cent) Queensland has the third highest rate of partner violence against women in the country In Queensland, 45 per cent of all homicides between 2006 and 2012 occurred within an intimate partner or family relationship. 5 Intimate partner violence is thought to contribute up to nine per cent of the total loss of health and wellbeing for women aged 15 to Queensland has the third highest rate of partner violence when compared to other states and territories, behind only the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. 7 It is important to note when looking at these figures that they may not represent the true extent of the problem. Many incidents of domestic and family violence go unreported, largely because of the private nature of the relationships within which violence occurs. 8 Intimate and partner violence is overwhelmingly committed by men against women, however men are also victims. One in six Australian women and one in 19 men had experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner. 9 The data below relates specifically to females. Figure 3: Proportion of the female population who were a victim of physical assault by a current or previous partner in the last 12 months Tas NSW Vic WA SA Qld ACT NT States and territories Source 2: ABS Personal Safety, Australia, 2012 Domestic and family violence can lead to a range of negative health issues for victims, such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse. It can cause mental health problems as well as difficulties with reproductive health. 10 Of the total health burden attributed to intimate partner violence, 60 per cent was due to mental health concerns. 5 Estimate provided to the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence by the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Unit, cited in Not Now Not Ever: putting an end to domestic and family violence in Queensland (2015). 6 VicHealth, The health costs of violence: Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence, Department of Human Services, ABS Personal Safety, Australia, Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence Op.cit. 9 ABS. op.cit. 10 Australian Women s Health Network Health and the Primary Prevention of Violence against Women. Position Paper Page 12 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

13 Number of notifications Elder abuse is usually committed by sons and daughters Elder abuse is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. 11 It includes physical, sexual, or financial abuse or neglect at the hands of family, carers or friends. In , three-quarters of recorded elder abuse cases in Queensland involved either a son or daughter as the perpetrator of the abuse and 67 per cent of victims were female. 12 It is widely accepted that elder abuse is under-reported. The World Health Organisation has identified that prevalence rates in selected developed countries range from one to ten per cent. 13 This figure is likely to escalate as the population ages and the issue becomes better recognised. Figure 4: Queensland notifications to elder abuse hotline Year Source: Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Annual Reports and Year in Review Reports Note: Data from includes aggregated data for elder-abuse and non-trust relationship abuse of older people. The personal losses associated with elder abuse can be overwhelming and include the loss of independence, homes, life savings, health, dignity, and security. Victims of elder abuse have been shown to have shorter life expectancies than non-abused older people. 14 The impacts of elder abuse often spread to other family members and to the wider community as they have to deal with the outcomes. 11 World Health Organisation, (2002). The Toronto declaration on the global prevention of elder abuse. 12 Elder Abuse Prevention Unit Year in Review World Health Organisation, Prevention of Elder Abuse < 14 National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Page 13 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

14 Number per 1,000 children Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eight times more likely to be placed in out of home care The number of children in Queensland on care and protection orders and in out of home care has remained fairly stable in the last decade for non-indigenous children, but numbers have risen dramatically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are five times more likely to be subject to a care and protection order than non-indigenous children and more than eight times more likely to be placed in out of home care. 15 Fortunately, there has been a rise in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being placed in kinship care, rather than foster or residential care. In , 40.4 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care were placed in kinship care. This is up from 25 per cent in Figure 5: Children in out of home care and Indigenous status, number per 1,000 children aged 0-17, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Non-Indigenous children Year Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Child protection Australia: Child Welfare series no. 61. Cat. no. CWS 52. Canberra: AIHW Out of home care is the last resort for children when the home environment is not safe. But many children in out of home care experience multiple placement changes which can have significant adverse effects. A number of studies have found associations between continued instability and adverse psychosocial outcomes, such as emotional difficulties, behaviour problems and poor academic performance Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Child protection Australia: Child Welfare series no. 61. Cat. no. CWS 52. Canberra: AIHW. 16 Child Family Community Australia Children in care Page 14 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

15 Number of break-ins In recent years, fewer Queenslanders have been victims of break-ins Many Queenslanders will experience an incident of crime in their lifetime. However, there has been a long-term downward trend in reported household crime. After a spike in , the number of victims of break-ins in Queensland dropped significantly in Since 2008, there has been an 8.5 per cent reduction in reported break-ins. Figure 6: Number of Queenslanders who were a victim of actual or attempted breakin in the last 12 months Year Source: ABS Crime Victimisation, Australia, , , , , , There are numerous ways in which an individual can be affected as a victim of property crime. One way is the financial loss incurred as a direct consequence of property being stolen. There are also indirect financial costs such as medical expenses or loss of income through time spent in court. Victims may also experience physical injury which can have temporary or long-term effects as well as mental health effects, including feelings of fear, anxiety and social withdrawal. 17 These can reduce people s productivity and participation in education, employment and the community. 17 Shapland, J., & Hall, M. (2007). What do we know about the effects of crime on victims? International Review of Victimology, 14, Page 15 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

16 Questions for discussion about improving our safety What links are there between violence and other indicators of poverty and disadvantage? How could our understanding of these links inform our approach to reducing the incidence of violence? How can we better use existing universal services to proactively identify when violence has occurred or that an individual is at risk of experiencing violence (for example, child care centres, schools, hospitals?) How can we better use our knowledge of risk factors to prevent domestic and family violence? What is contributing to a reduction in reported break-ins? What cultural, political or funding issues are hindering our efforts to improve safety? Page 16 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

17 Domain 2 Healthy Being healthy means being well physically, mentally and emotionally. Poverty, disadvantage and ill health are clearly linked. The most disadvantaged people in society bear the greatest burden of ill health. Compared to those who have social and economic advantages, disadvantaged Queenslanders are more likely to have shorter lives, have greater health risks and bear a greater burden-of-disease. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of their health. Page 17 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

18 Percentage (per cent) Queenslanders health status has not changed much in 10 years Self-assessed health status is often used as a proxy measure of actual health status. While not the same as health status assessed by a medical professional, it gives information about people s perceptions of their health, and is also recognised as a valid predictor of mortality and morbidity. In , 56.4 per cent of Queenslanders felt their health was excellent or very good. This figure has stayed fairly steady over the last decade. Figure 7: Proportion of the total population whose self-assessed health status was excellent or very good, Queensland Year Source: ABS National Health Survey , , , There is a correlation between socioeconomic status and self-reported health status. In 2010, only 32 per cent of Queenslanders living in the most disadvantaged areas assessed their health as being excellent or very good compared to 61 per cent of people living in the most advantaged areas. 18 Only just over a third (36.5 per cent) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders identified their health as very good or excellent in Lower self-assessed health status is likely to reduce productivity and participation and lead to lower household incomes and wealth which can further reduce health status of household members. 18 ABS Australian Health Survey, ibid. Page 18 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

19 Percentage (per cent) With the ageing population, more Queenslanders are developing multiple chronic health conditions The term chronic disease applies to a group of diseases that tend to be long lasting and have persistent effects such as diabetes and heart disease. 20 When two or more diseases occur at the same time, this is referred to as co morbidity. Sometimes these diseases occur together simply by chance, but often this occurs because there are associations between the conditions, such as shared risk factors. Ageing is a factor that has a particularly strong association with co morbidity. 21 Many Queenslanders have multiple chronic health conditions and 43.4 per cent have three or more. This proportion is expected to increase further in the future, in line with the ageing population, and have major cost implications across the community. Figure 8: Proportion of the total population who have three or more long term health conditions, Queensland Year Source: ABS National Health Survey: First Results, , Chronic diseases are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia, accounting for 90 per cent of all deaths in People living in disadvantaged areas in Australia are much more likely to be affected by chronic diseases than those in more advantaged areas. For example in , 5.9 per cent of people living in the most disadvantaged areas were affected by heart disease compared with 2.3 per cent in the least disadvantaged areas. 23 Lifestyle behaviours such as tobacco smoking, risky alcohol consumption and obesity contribute to risk factors for chronic disease AIHW 21 AIHW Media Release 12 August in 5 Australians affected by multiple chronic diseases AIHW Australia's health Cat. no. AUS 178. Canberra: AIHW 23 ABS Health and socioeconomic disadvantage. 24 AIHW. Op. cit. Page 19 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

20 Percentage (per cent) One in eight Queenslanders experience high or very high levels of psychological distress Poor mental health can have adverse impacts on the capacity of an individual to participate in society and erodes quality of life by affecting confidence and selfesteem. Psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, is a common mental health problem. In , Queensland had the highest proportion of the population with very high levels of psychological distress in Australia. One in eight (12 per cent) of Queenslanders had high or very high levels of psychological distress. Women are affected at nearly double the rate of men (13.6 per cent compared to 7.7 per cent). 25 Levels haven t changed significantly in the last 10 years. Psychological distress is particularly high in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with 31.2 per cent of the population affected. This is over two and a half times the Queensland average. 26 Figure 9: Proportion of adults with high/very high levels of psychological distress, Queensland Year Source: ABS National Health Survey: First Results, , ; National Health Survey: Summary of Results; State Tables, (Reissue) Younger people, women, people living in households with low incomes or education levels, people unable to work or unemployed and people renting in either the private market or in public housing tend to have significantly higher levels of psychological distress. People with chronic health conditions and mental health problems also had significantly higher levels of psychological distress. Health risk factors, such as high body mass index, smoking, high risk alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity and low levels of fruit or vegetable consumption were also significantly associated with higher levels of psychological distress ABS (unpublished) Australian Health Survey ( NHS component), cited in Productivity Commission (2013) Report on Government Services 26 AIHW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2014 report: Queensland. Cat. no. IHW The University of Adelaide Determinants of Psychological Distress (PD) in South Australia Page 20 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

21 Death rate per 100,000 population The suicide rate among males has doubled in six years The suicide rate in Queensland has risen by 110 per cent since The female suicide rate at 6.4 per 100,000 population has been stable but the male suicide rate has more than doubled from 11 per 100,000 population in 2007 to 22.4 in The suicide rate in non-urban Queensland is much higher than in large towns and cities. Young males in regional areas are 1.5 to 1.8 times more likely to end their life by suicide than their urban counterparts. The incidence is up to six times higher in very remote areas. 29 Figure 10: Standardised death rate by intentional self-harm per 100,000 population, Queensland Year Source: ABS Causes of Death, Australia, 2013 / 2012 / 2011 / 2010 / 2009 / 2007 Suicide and suicidal behaviour arise from complex social, situational, biological and individual causes such as alcohol and drug use, socioeconomic disadvantage, social fragmentation, unemployment, inequity, chronic illness, pain and mental illness. 30 Structural factors in non-urban areas including unemployment, greater availability of lethal means of self-harm and barriers to mental health care services all contribute to a higher rate in these areas. Personal factors also come into play such as loneliness, alienation for those with same-sex preferences and the cumulative impact of losses. 31 In 2010 the suicide rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was double that of non-indigenous people (22.5 per 100,000 compared to 11.9). 32 This is due to a complex set of factors including the disadvantage and risk factors shared by the non-indigenous population as well as a broader set of social, economic and historic factors that impact specifically on the social and emotional wellbeing, and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ABS Causes of Death, Australia, 2013 / 2012 / 2011 / 2010 / 2009 / ABS Suicides, Australia, Suicide Prevention Australia Nine Principles for Suicide Prevention Accessed 24 July AIHW Mortality Report Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012) Catalogue Suicides Australia, Department of Health and Ageing National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy May 2013 Page 21 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

22 Percentage (per cent) Nearly a quarter of young Queensland adults are not seeing a dentist when they need to In Queensland, in , 18.1 per cent of people who needed to did not see a dentist in the previous 12 months. This figure was higher for people with fair or poor self-assessed health (23.7 per cent) and for people living in the most disadvantaged areas in the state (23.2 per cent). Interestingly, the people who are least likely to see a dentist when they need to are those aged 25 to 34, regardless of their gender. Older age groups are more likely to see a dentist when they need to. Figure 11: Proportion of people who needed to but did not see a dental professional at all, in the last 12 months, Queensland, Age (years) Male Female Source: ABS Patient Experiences in Australia: States and Territories, Note: Data for year old males and 75 years and over males and females should be used as indicative only, as low numbers mean there is a high relative standard of error A focus on early detection and prevention of dental decay and disease is critical not only for oral health but for overall general health. Increasingly, evidence is emerging that poor oral health is associated with major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers have recently found dental disease is associated with low birth-weight and premature births. Oral health issues and major diseases share common risk factors and general health problems may cause or worsen oral health conditions. 34 Indigenous Australians have poorer oral health than other Australians. This discrepancy is attributed in part to the fact that access to culturally appropriate and timely dental care is often not available to Indigenous people, especially in rural and remote areas Dental Health Services Victoria Links between oral health and general health: the case for action. 35 Williams S, Jamieson L, MacRae A, Gray C (2011) Review of Indigenous oral health. Retrieved [access date] from Page 22 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

23 Percentage (per cent) One in 10 Queenslanders defer purchasing medication due to the cost Prescribed medicines play an important role in managing illness and preventing acute illness but cost can be a barrier to accessing medicines on time. In Queensland in , 10 per cent of people deferred access to prescribed medication due to cost, compared to 7.5 per cent of people nationally. Of all states and territories, Queensland had the second highest proportion of the population deferring access to prescribed medication due to cost and, against the trend in other states, this proportion increased between 2009 and People most likely to defer getting prescribed medication due to cost were those who most needed it, the people with fair or poor self-assessed health. Figure 12: Proportion of people who delayed getting or did not get prescribed medication due to cost, in the last 12 months , Queensland Average Population group Source: ABS Patient Experiences in Australia: States and Territories, Cost barriers to accessing medication are of concern because conditions usually become worse without the recommended treatment, resulting in more hospital admissions for serious conditions. Addressing out of pocket health expenses for vulnerable individuals is becoming a national priority because it is these populations, with poor health and few resources, that are most impacted, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, people on low incomes, older people, people with chronic illness and people living in regional, rural and remote communities ABS (unpublished) Patient Experience Survey, , ,, cited in Productivity Commission Report on government services. 37 Commonwealth of Australia Out of pocket costs in Australian healthcare. Page 23 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

24 Percentage (per cent) Queenslanders do not eat enough fruit or vegetables, hardly exercise and two thirds are overweight or obese In the past 15 years, the proportion of overweight or obese Queenslanders has increased markedly from 48.4 per cent in 2001 to 63.3 per cent in Excessive weight is more prevalent among some groups. In the rate for overweight or obese people with a profound or severe disability was 71.1 per cent; 70 per cent in inner-regional areas; and 69.4 per cent for people living in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas - compared to an average of 56 per cent. Figure 13: Proportion of the population who are overweight or obese, Queensland Year Source: ABS National Health Survey: First Results, ; Updated Results, ; Summary of Results; State Tables, ; Summary of Results, 2001 In Queensland, very few of us are eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. Since 2008, the proportion of the population with inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption has dropped less than one per cent from 95 per cent to 94.1 per cent. The proportion is even higher for people from non-english speaking backgrounds (97.5 per cent), males and females aged 35 to 44 (97.2 per cent and 96.7 per cent respectively), and unemployed (96.8 per cent). Sixty-seven per cent of Queenslanders do not exercise at all or only undertake low levels of exercise, compared to 75.2 per cent in Within some groups the proportion not exercising remains extremely high, including people with a profound or severe disability (92 per cent); people in the most disadvantaged areas (79.8 per cent); those in inner-regional areas (78.7 per cent); and people from a non-english speaking background (77.7 per cent). Females (73.6 per cent) are more likely to not exercise or undertake low levels than males (62.6 per cent), while 80 per cent of women aged 55 to 64 do not exercise at all. Lack of exercise creates greater risk of becoming overweight or obese, high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol levels, all risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. 38 Lack of fruit and vegetables puts people at higher risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, as well as unhealthy weight gain. Being overweight or obese can lead to chronic health conditions such as heart disease and some cancers. It also influences the psychological wellbeing of young people. 39 Cultural norms, cost 38 AIHW. (2011). Exercise. 39 AIHW. (2014). Australia s health Page 24 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

25 and lack of physical ability are some of the barriers to adequate exercise and healthy 40, 41 food for certain groups. Questions for discussion about improving our health What are the most important links between health indicators and other indicators? Why is Queensland being outperformed by other states on selfassessed health status? What is behind the doubling of the male suicide rate? What are the most important two or three things we could do that would have the biggest impact on improving the health of disadvantaged Queenslanders? 40 Queensland Government (2010). Engaging culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Queenslanders in physical activity: Findings from the CALD Physical Activity Mapping Project 41 Rosier, K. (2011) Food insecurity in Australia: What is it, who experiences it and how can child and family services support families experiencing it? Child and Family Community Australia Fact Sheet. Page 25 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

26 Domain 3 Adequate standard of living Standard of living refers to the level of wealth, comfort, material goods and necessities available to people. Our standard of living is affected by factors such as availability of employment, equality of income, affordability of housing, and financial security. The right to an adequate standard of living is recognised as a human right in international human rights instruments. This means people should have a minimum entitlement to food, clothing and housing at an adequate level. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of their standard of living. Page 26 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

27 Number of disconnections Electricity disconnections due to non-payment have been increasing Electricity disconnections are an indicator of extreme financial stress. In recent years, the rate at which Queenslanders are being disconnected has risen. The disconnection rate tends to increase soon after a sudden step change in the price of electricity a bill shock effect. Since Queensland s electricity prices have increased in real terms by 87 per cent. 42 Queensland was the only jurisdiction in Australia in to record an increase in electricity prices. 43 Figure 14: Electricity disconnections due to non-payment, Queensland, Total residents Other residents Pensioners/Concession card holders Date by quarter Source: QCA Small Electricity Customer Disconnection, Hardship and Complaints Statistics, quarterly reports Electricity is an essential service for all Queenslanders. Access to electricity that is affordable and reliable is vital to our health, wellbeing and quality of life. Having the power cut off because you are unable to afford your energy bills has compounding effects for a vulnerable energy consumer. The impacts are more than just financial, they are also emotional and psychological and have additional impacts on health and safety. Recent research on the impact of disconnections found that: Family households are the most common type of household reporting disconnection Almost one-third of those disconnected reported having a mental illness Around one in three respondents had no contact with their retailer prior to disconnection Queensland Productivity Commission. (2016). Electricity Pricing Inquiry: draft report. 43 Australian Energy Regulator. (2015) State of the Energy Market Public Interest Advocacy Centre (2005) Cut off: the impact of utility disconnections and Public Interest Advocacy Centre (2009) Cut off II: the experience of utility disconnections. Page 27 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

28 Percentage (per cent) Young Queenslanders are twice as likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population Since September 2007, unemployment has crept up in Queensland from 3.7 per cent to an average figure of 6.3 per cent for the 2015 calendar year. This current employment figure is the second highest in the country. 45 In Queensland, people aged 15 to 24 have by far the highest unemployment rate of any age group at 13.2 per cent in December Cairns and Wide Bay are two of Australia s youth unemployment hotspots with more than 20 per cent of 15 to 24 year olds being unemployed in these regions in December In outback Queensland the proportion of youth unemployment exceeds 25 per cent. 46 Considering the definition of employed is having more than one hour of work a week, these figures are disturbing. Figure 15: Proportion of unemployed individuals (12 month average trend rate), Queensland Year Source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Dec 2015 Employment improves financial security, self-esteem and social engagement. 47 Unemployment can have a devastating impact on people s lives. It affects not just the unemployed person but also family members and the wider community. The impact of unemployment can be long-lasting. As unemployment becomes more long-term, its impact becomes more far reaching, often affecting living standards in retirement. The loss of income by parents can damage the prospects of the next generation. 48 Unemployment can indirectly affect housing security and health because of reduced participation in society or from the impacts of financial strain ABS Labour Force, Australia, Dec Queensland Treasury (2015) Regional youth unemployment, December Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Participation in Measures of Australia's Progress cat. no Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Workplace Relations. (2000). Age Counts: inquiry into issues specific to older workers seeking employment, or establishing a business, following unemployment 49 ibid. Page 28 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

29 Percentage (per cent) One in five young people are not fully engaged in education or work In 2015, 81.4 per cent of Queensland young people aged 15 to 19 were fully engaged (that is either studying or working full-time or studying and working parttime). 50 Queensland performs the worst in the country in terms of having young people fully engaged in education or work. In the Australian Capital Territory 94 per cent of young people were fully engaged and in South Australia 89 per cent were fully engaged. 51 The proportion of young people aged 15 to19 not fully engaged has fluctuated a little over the past decade but has never reached the levels of the better performing jurisdictions. Figure 16: Proportion of young people aged who were fully engaged , Queensland Years Source: ABS Education and Work Australia, May 2015 Research suggests that young people, who are not fully engaged in education, work or a combination of both, are at greater risk of unemployment, cycles of low pay and employment insecurity in the longer term. Participation in education and training and engaging in work are also important aspects of developing individual capability and building a socially inclusive society. 52 Lack of participation can lead to feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and depression, substance abuse, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. 50 ABS Education and Work Australia, May ibid. 52 ABS 2010 Are young people earning or learning? Page 29 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

30 Percentage (per cent) Under-employment is higher for young people, women and single parents Under-employed workers are those who want, and are available for, more hours of work than they currently have. Under-employment is relatively high in Queensland (8.9 per cent in December 2015 compared to 5.5 per cent nationally) and has been rising steadily over the past 35 years due to the casualisation of the workforce, with only a slight respite during the mining boom in the mid-2000s. Women are more affected by under-employment than men. In the 12 months to December 2015, the under-employment rate for females was 10.7 per cent compared to just 6.9 per cent for males. Figure 17: Proportion of employed individuals who are under-employed, Queensland Males Females Year Source: ABS Labour Force, Australia, Dec 2015 While being employed is important, it is also critical that individuals and households have access to an adequate amount of work. People facing poverty and disadvantage are often employed in jobs that do not provide adequate security, are low paid or have limited hours of employment. Under-employment can make it difficult to secure decent and appropriate housing and other essentials. 53 Underemployment has also been shown to be negatively related to wellbeing across a number of outcomes including reduced mental health and increased anxiety AHURI. (2011). The housing security consequences of underemployment 54 McKee-Ryan, F. & Harvey, J. (2011). I Have a Job, But... : A Review of Underemployment. Journal of Management Vol. 37 No. 4, July Page 30 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

31 Percentage difference (per cent) Queensland women earn 18 per cent less than men and the gap has increased in the longer term The gender pay gap is the difference in income earning capacity between men and women. In May 2015, Queensland s gender pay gap was 18 per cent, despite women gaining more tertiary qualifications than men. Western Australia and New South Wales have higher gender pay gaps, whereas in the rest of the country it is much lower. 55 While the gap declined over the most recent period, in Queensland (and nationally) there appears to be a long-term trend towards an increasing pay gap between men and women. The most pronounced difference in average weekly earnings for males and females with the same level of qualification was for those workers with a Certificate III or IV, with females average weekly earnings being only 54.2 per cent of those for males with this type of qualification. 56 Figure 18: Percentage difference between average weekly earnings for males and females (full time, adult, ordinary time earnings), Queensland Year Source: ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2015 The pay gap is influenced by stereotypes about suitable work, the capacity of different industries and occupations to attract higher or lower wages, the role of women in providing the majority of unpaid caring work as well as direct and indirect discrimination. 57 This not only impacts on the ability of women to meet current living costs but also on their ability to gain wealth, such as home ownership and superannuation, to sustain them in later life. As women are the majority of single parents the gender pay gap further reduces their capacity to adequately provide for their children. 55 ABS (2015), Average Weekly Earnings, May 2015, cat. no Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013, Education and training experience, 2009, cat. no , Customised report, cited in Queensland Government. (2015). Queensland women Workplace Gender Equality Agency What is the Pay Gap Page 31 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

32 Percentage (per cent) Queenslanders, particularly one parent families, are experiencing more financial stress A key indicator of financial stress is the inability to raise $2,000 within a week for something important. In 2010, 15 per cent of Queenslanders said they could not raise $2,000 in a week for this reason. This was the highest proportion in Australia. Almost 60 per cent of people living in public housing were in this situation, as were 84 per cent of one-parent families in jobless households. This situation has become worse for most groups, but particularly so for one-parent families in jobless households. Figure 19: Proportion of the population unable to raise $2,000 in a week for something important, Queensland Jobless family couple Jobless family one parent Population Employed family couple Employed family one parent Qld average 2010 Source: ABS General Social Survey: States and Territories, 2010 Thirty per cent of households in Australia with the lowest incomes were servicing a debt that was three or more times their annual disposable income. This increased from 22.4 per cent of low income households with this level of indebtedness in These households are at high risk of experiencing economic hardship if they experience a financial shock. 58 The number of electricity disconnections in Queensland due to non-payment increased by 37 per cent between 2012 and For pensioners and concession card holders, disconnections increased by 42 per cent during this period. 59 Electricity and gas are big expenses for low income earners. In 2012, the bottom 20 per cent of income earners in Australia spent 13 per cent of gross household income on energy while those in the top income bracket spent only 3 per cent. The average for Queensland was 5.2 per cent ABS Household Income and Wealth, Australia, Queensland Competition Authority 2015 Small customer disconnections, hardship and complaints Quarterly reports 60 ABS Household Energy Consumption Survey, Australia: Summary of Results, 2012 Page 32 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

33 Proportion of gross household income (per cent) Low-income households spend nearly a third of their income on housing Queensland households on average spent 15 per cent of their gross weekly income on housing costs (rents, rates and mortgages) in The proportion of income being spent on housing by low income households and one parent families has grown over the last decade, while the proportion spent by high income households and couple families has remained stable or declined. Figure 20: Housing costs as a proportion of gross household income by selected household characteristics, Queensland Year Lowest quintile One parent family Couple family Highest quintile Source: ABS Housing Occupancy and Costs, Households that spend a large proportion of their income on housing have less money for other essential items, such as food, energy and healthcare. When housing costs are high as a proportion of income, households may be forced to reduce their spending on other goods and services to meet these costs. 61 The constant stress associated with a lack of money has been found to contribute to health problems and stress on family relationships as well as financial hardship outcomes such as children missing out on school activities and adequate health care. 62 Low income households are more likely to be renting and as their housing costs increase their long term capacity to achieve home ownership decreases, thus trapping them in intergenerational poverty. 61 Yates J and Gabriel M (2006) Housing Affordability in Australia, National Research Venture 3: Housing Affordability for Lower Income Australians Research Paper 3, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. 62 Robinson, E. & Adams, R. (2008). Housing stress and the mental health and wellbeing of families. AFRC Briefing No. 12 June 2008 Page 33 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

34 Questions for discussion about improving our standard of living Why are young people unable to secure casual or part-time work and what can be done about it? What extra supports can be put in place to protect one-parent families from poverty? What is the breadth of impact that high housing costs have on individuals and the community? What innovative and sustainable strategies are available to improve access to affordable housing? Page 34 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

35 Domain 4 Personal relationships Having strong personal relationships is an important protective factor against poverty and disadvantage. The health risks from being alone or isolated in one's life are comparable to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity. Supportive personal relationships can provide access to information and other social and economic resources that help people do well in life, and can engender feelings of worth and care, bringing positive impacts on self-esteem. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of their personal relationships. Page 35 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

36 Percentage (per cent) Older males are at significant risk of being socially isolated In 2014, 75.4 per cent of the Queensland population had face-to-face contact with family or friends living outside the household in the week prior to being surveyed. This compares to 77 per cent nationally. Females had more contact with family and friends than males. This proportion increased from 75.6 per cent to 83.5 per cent between 2006 and 2010 but has dropped back to 75.1 per cent since then. Older men, over 75 years, were more socially isolated than others. In 2010, only 59 per cent of older males had face-to-face contact with family or friends in the week prior to the survey, this compares with 78.5 per cent of older women. Figure 21: Proportion of the population who had contact with family or friends outside the household in the last week, 2014, Queensland or over Age (years) Males Females Average Source: ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 Strong ties with family, friends and the community provide people with happiness, security, support and a sense of purpose. Research shows that being connected to others is important for mental wellbeing and can be a protective factor against anxiety and depression. Family and friends can also support education and training and provide access to employment through their networks. Amongst older people, those who remain connected with others and have strong relationships are likely to report better quality of life and satisfaction with their life, have delayed progression of dementia and mental decline, need less domestic support and enjoy greater independence Pate, A. (2014) Social isolation: Its impact on the mental health and wellbeing of older Victorians, COTA Victoria Working Paper No.1: Melbourne, Victoria. Page 36 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

37 NESB - not proficient in English Poor health Males years NESB - proficient in English One parent families Unemployed people Males 75 or over Lowest income quintile Core activity restriction Schooling/employment restriction Percentage (per cent) People with low English proficiency are least likely to be able to access support in a time of crisis The opportunity to access support, whether formal or informal, can minimise the extent of the trauma in a personal crisis. In 2014, the vast majority of Queenslanders (94.6 per cent) felt they were able to get support in a time of crisis from people living outside their household. But some people found it more difficult to access support than others. One in six Queenslanders with poor health and one in five who were not proficient in English were not able to get support in a time of crisis from people living outside their household in One-parent families were significantly less able to access outside support than people living in couple families, and older Queenslanders (particularly males aged 65 to 74) were less able to get support in a time of crisis than younger people. Figure 22: Proportion of the population able to get support in a time of crisis from persons living outside the household, 2010, Queensland Average Source: ABS General Social Survey: States and Territories, 2010 People who do not have adequate resources to deal with crises may experience negative psychological outcomes. Social support provides a coping resource. 64 In some cases, however, people may be reluctant to seek formal support during times of personal crisis because they view it as a sign of weakness or they fear involvement of authorities in their lives. 65 People who do not speak English well are less likely to access support due to limited language skills, little knowledge of services and lack of accessible information. Length of time in Australia has an impact on help-seeking behaviours Landau, J., Mittal, J., & Wieling, E. (2008). Linking human systems: Strengthening individuals, families and communities in the wake of mass trauma. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34(2), McDonald, M. (2011). What role can child and family services play in enhancing opportunities for parents and families: Exploring the concepts of social exclusion and social inclusion. CAFCA Practice Sheet May Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils Australia. (2015) Review of Australian Research on Older People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds. Page 37 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

38 Discussion questions on improving our personal relationships What can be done earlier in the lives of adult men to prevent social isolation in their senior years? What are the broader impacts for society when people do not have reliable access to informal support? How can our services be structured to bring people together from different age groups, cultural backgrounds and life experiences? Page 38 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

39 Domain 5 Community connections Community connectedness is a sense of belonging to a larger collective, having an emotional connection and feeling rewarded through this collective affiliation. 67 A feeling of connection can be hard to find for minority groups who are sometimes discriminated against. The experience of incarceration can also be particularly damaging to an individual s connectedness. The sense of isolation that comes from not feeling part of the community can cause individuals and groups to withdraw from participating in activities that are critical to wellbeing. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of community connectedness. 67 Frost and Meyer (2012) Measuring community connectedness amongst diverse sexual minority populations Page 39 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

40 Percentage (per cent) Percentage (per cent) Queenslanders are volunteering less Participation in social activities and groups has significant benefits for society. Voluntary work, for example, provides a service of enduring social, cultural and economic value. In 2010, Queensland s rate of volunteering at 35.4 per cent was lower than the national average of 36.2 per cent, and only ahead of Western Australia. Volunteering in Queensland dropped between 2006 and 2010, most significantly among females aged 35 to 44 (from 52.1 per cent to 41.4 per cent). On the other hand, volunteering increased between 2006 and 2010 for women aged 45 to 54 (from 39.6 per cent to 50.8 per cent) and men aged 55 to 64 (from 31 per cent to 44.2 per cent). Figure 23: Proportion of the male population who had undertaken voluntary work in the last 12 months 2006 and 2010, Queensland Age (years) Figure 24: Proportion of the female population who had undertaken voluntary work in the last 12 months 2006 and 2010, Queensland Age (years) Source: ABS General Social Survey: States and Territories, 2010, Queensland, 2006 Volunteering is associated with positive wellbeing. Volunteers are more likely than non- volunteers to attend community events, to feel that most people can be trusted and to be satisfied with their lives. 68 Volunteering creates networks to other people, generates positive social practices and strengthens communities by fostering positive social norms. It develops skills relevant to workforce participation; spreads information and innovation; and provides the mechanism for collective problem 68 ABS Cat. No , Voluntary Work Australia 2010 Page 40 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

41 solving. Volunteering has also been shown to be important for connecting people to career paths and labour markets that are better paid and more stable Victorian Government, Indicators of Community Strength in Victoria: Framework and Evidence, Department of Planning and Community Development, 2011, p Page 41 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

42 Percentage (per cent) Less Queenslanders feel they have a say in the community In 2014, Australians were less likely than they were in 2010 to feel able to have a say within their community all or most of the time (23.4 per cent compared with 28.8 per cent) and Queenslanders were less likely than any other state, apart from South Australia, to feel they were able to have a say all or most of the time. 70 Almost half of Queenslanders feel they have a say none or only a little of the time. In 2010, people aged 25 to 34 were least likely to feel they had a say. Figure 25: Proportion of the population that feels able to have a say within the community on important issues all or most of the time, Australia Year Source: ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014, 2010, 2006 Participation in social and civic activities can be influenced by a sense of efficacy, which involves having a say about or control over particular outcomes. People with a weak sense of efficacy may participate less in groups and the communities to which they belong. In 2014, people with lower levels of education were less likely to feel they could have a say on important issues. 71 This means that people who are more likely to experience poverty and disadvantage feel less able to advocate on their own behalf. 70 ABS (2015) General Social Survey: summary of results. 71 Ibid. Page 42 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

43 Percentage (per cent) Half of Queenslanders believe most people can be trusted Just over half of Queenslanders believe most people can be trusted. Females are slightly more trusting than males (54.7 per cent compared to 46.9 per cent). People with the highest incomes are much more trusting than those with the lowest incomes (62.7 per cent compared to 46.9 per cent) and people living in major cities tend to be more trusting than those living in other areas. Levels of trust have dropped slightly in the last decade. Figure 26: Proportion of people who strongly agree/agree that most people can be trusted, Australia Years Source: ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014, 2010, 2006 In world terms, Australia s trust levels are high. Countries where the highest proportion of people express a high level of trust in others tend to be those that have lower levels of inequality and higher levels of civic engagement and peaceful decision making, such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. 72 People who have higher levels of trust are more likely to engage with others and participate in social, environmental and economic networks which increase their skills and knowledge. 72 Max Roser (2015) Trust. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: Page 43 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

44 Percentage (per cent) More than half of older Queenslanders do not use the internet In , 84 per cent of Queenslanders were internet users. This proportion has steadily increased since 2006 and is expected to continue to rise. However, some people have less access to the internet. Nationally, only 48 per cent of older people and 56 per cent of people with disability use the internet. 73 While the proportion of people with a home broadband connection has grown significantly in areas outside major capital cities and major urban locations, these internet users are still trailing people in major capital cities in terms of frequency and intensity of online participation. 74 Figure 27: Proportion of the population over 15 years who did not access the internet at any site in the last 12 months, Queensland Year Source: ABS Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, Access to computer and internet technology is a crucial resource for connecting people to the information, goods, services and skills they need in an increasingly digital world. It helps people to access health and other services, social and economic support, education, training and employment. A recent study of the compounding impacts of disadvantage in Australia found that in Queensland a lack of internet access was a marker of the presence of other manifestations of disadvantage including low family income, lack of qualifications and young people not engaged in work or study ABS Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, Australian Communications and Media Authority Regional Australia in the digital economy 75 Vinson, T & Rawsthorne, M. (2015). Dropping off the Edge Page 44 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

45 Percentage (per cent) Most Queenslanders think it s a good thing for society to be made up of different cultures The vast majority of Queenslanders (82.4 per cent) believe it is a good thing for society to be comprised of different cultures. This is up from 75.6 per cent in Nevertheless, 27.5 per cent say they have negative attitudes towards Muslims. The groups that were less likely to think it is a good thing for society to be made up of different cultures were people with poor health (52.2 per cent), males over the age of 75 (69.5 per cent), people living in inner regional areas (65.3 per cent) and retired people (66.2 per cent). 77 In 2014, the proportion of Queenslanders who say they have experienced discrimination was equivalent to the average across Australian states and territories, which is less than one in five people. Figure 28: Proportion of people who have experienced discrimination or have been treated unfairly Average 0 Tas Vic SA Qld ACT NSW WA NT Year Source: ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 Discrimination can be a particular issue for minority groups, such as those who look different from the majority of a population. Both direct discrimination (for example name-calling or bullying) and indirect discrimination (such as ignoring or excluding others from important events or information) can leave people feeling shut out and powerless with a resultant impact on mental health and wellbeing. Racism is a form of discrimination that devalues someone s culture and makes them feel unwelcome. The effects of racism can make life more difficult for families, and create undue stress and social disadvantage. Research shows that there are significant links between experiences of racism and discrimination and poor physical and mental health, reduced productivity and reduced life expectancy ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission Racism it stops with me Page 45 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

46 Percentage (per cent) Participation in religious or spiritual groups is dropping quickly in Queensland Religion and spirituality are both complex and multi-dimensional constructs. 79 Religion has a framework of beliefs, tradition, doctrine, conduct and rituals while spirituality is broader and encompasses a person s relations to self, others and the environment. 80 The number of Queenslanders who participate in a religious or spiritual group or organisation has dropped over time. The biggest drop has been in the 45 to 54 year age group. However, a higher percentage of younger people are participating than before. Figure 29: Proportion of the population who participated in a religious or spiritual group or organisation in the last 12 months, Queensland Qld Age (years) Source: ABS General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2010 A significant number of people consider themselves spiritual but do not participate in a religion. One recent survey found that about 40 per cent of Australians consider themselves Christian, 11 per cent identify with a number of other religious belief systems, 31 per cent had no religious or spiritual beliefs and 19 per cent were spiritual but not religious. 81 There is increasing evidence that peoples spiritual or religious experiences may be important contributors to quality of life, particularly for older people and those who are seriously unwell. Spirituality is also a key concept in understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing. Across the world, religion, spirituality and personal beliefs appear to be highly correlated with psychological and social wellbeing. 82 While beliefs, forgiveness and support from a religious community can act as a protective mechanism against poor 79 The ABS has acknowledged that religion and spirituality are important aspects of life that may increase wellbeing and make life worthwhile and are exploring options for suitable indicators 80 Department of Education and Children s Services SA (2006) Does spirituality belong in education 81 McCrindle Research (2011) The Australian Communities report 82 WHOQOL SRPB Group (2006) A cross-cultural study of spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs as components of quality of life Page 46 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

47 mental health outcomes, lack of forgiveness and negative religious coping patterns and practices can be an impediment to healthy emotional functioning Rippontrop et al (2005) The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population Page 47 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

48 Imprisonment rate per 100,000 population Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are eight times more likely to be in prison The ratio of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to non-indigenous prisoners remains high and has been steadily climbing during the last 10 years. Figure 30: Imprisonment rate per 100,000 adults, by Indigenous status, Queensland All Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Years Source: ABS Prisoners in Australia, 2015 Incarceration is often the end result of a failure to address issues such as poverty, health, homelessness and inequality. Many people who go to prison do not have good community connections prior to incarceration and their lives are characterised by unstable living arrangements, childhood abuse and neglect, difficulties with education and employment, poverty, alcohol and drug use, mental illness, nonsupportive personal relationships, and poor relationships with government and other support agencies. 84 Overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison reflects the significant and ongoing multiple disadvantage and discrimination they face. The effects of prison exacerbate their already poor health and this is intensified by a disconnection from community and country which plays an integral part in cultural identity. 85 These high rates of incarceration, often for minor offences, come at a huge cost to the individuals concerned, their families and communities, and to Queensland as a whole. 84 Grunseit, A., McCarron, E., and Forell, S. (2008). Taking Justice into Custody: the legal needs of prisoners 85 Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Justice Reinvestment Discussion Paper February Page 48 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

49 Percentage (per cent) Fewer young people are being diverted to alternatives to the criminal justice system In Queensland in , 35 per cent of young people who came in contact with the police were diverted to alternatives to the criminal justice system. Several diversionary practices are used in Queensland, including police cautioning and conferencing where the young offender meets with the person affected by their crime and decisions are made on how they can make amends. Queensland had the second lowest rate of diversions of young people, ahead of only Victoria. South Australia and Tasmania divert more than half of young people. 86 Within most jurisdictions, proportions of juvenile offenders undergoing diversionary programs remain relatively consistent over time. However, this is not the case in Queensland. The rate of diversions of young people to alternatives to the criminal justice system in Queensland has fallen by nearly a third, from 49 per cent in to 35 per cent in , adding significantly to the cost of justice and potentially incarceration. Figure 31: Proportion of young people who were diverted to alternatives to the criminal justice system to , Queensland Year Source: Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. Source State and Territory governments (unpublished) Risk factors for juvenile crime include school experiences, life events and community and cultural factors. Disadvantaged families often lack access to the basic resources and supports to modify these risk factors. Opportunities to divert young people to alternatives to the criminal justice system can reduce the risk of ongoing criminality by building protective factors and self-esteem. 86 Productivity Commission. (2015). Report on Government Services. Page 49 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

50 Discussion questions on improving our community connectedness What can Queensland learn from other states (particularly the Northern Territory and Tasmania) to increase interest in volunteering? Despite more accessible communication channels, why does half of Queensland s population feel they don t have a say in the community? What factors are contributing to the growth in numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison? What can be done about this? What benefits does the use of alternatives to prison have on the quality of life of individuals and the community? What would the impact be if, wherever possible, the majority of non-violent offenders were diverted from the criminal justice system for their first offence? Page 50 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

51 Domain 6 Achieving in life Global connectivity, smart technology, and new media are just some of the drivers reshaping the skills we will need to be productive contributors in the future. Individuals will increasingly be called upon to constantly renew their skills to adapt to the changing landscape. A good education is the basis for achieving in life. For many it can provide a pathway out of disadvantage and set them on the road to lifelong learning. There is strong evidence that a lack of qualifications can hinder attachment to the labour force and lead to lower paid, and less secure, employment. Starting learning early, achieving at school, and gaining qualifications are vital protective factors against unemployment and poverty. English language, literacy and numeracy skills underpin success in learning and life. These skills allow us to read, write, design, speak, listen and problem solve to make sense of the world. This section looks at how well Queenslanders are achieving in life. Page 51 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

52 Percentage (per cent) Kindergarten participation in Queensland has tripled in five years to reach almost 100 per cent Nearly 68,000 children attended a preschool program in Queensland in 2014, including 3,334 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Double the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children attended kindergarten in 2014 compared to However, Indigenous children still attend kindergarten at a significantly lower rate than the rest of the population. The percentage of children living in disadvantaged areas attending kindergarten has almost doubled from 52 per cent in 2009 to 92 per cent in Figure 32: Kindergarten participation in Queensland, Year General population Children in disadvantaged areas Indigenous children Source: The data from 2008 to 2012 is based on Queensland s ECEC census and data for 2013 and 2014 is from the ABS cat. No The proportion of Indigenous children is based on 2006 ABS population census estimates for the years 2008 to 2012 and from the 2011 ABS population census for 2013 and Providing access to early childhood education programs in the year before school has positive impacts into adult life. Participation in a pre-school program appears to be a stronger positive force in the lives of low-income children than it is in the lives of advantaged children. 87 There is consistent international evidence that children who have participated in high-quality preschool education programs gain significant longterm benefits from what has been termed the preschool advantage. These include higher levels of completed education and subsequent employment, greater stability in relationships and lower rates of mental illness Australian Institute of Family Studies (2002). Introducing the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. 88 Farrar, E., Goldfeld, S. and Moore, T. (2007). School readiness. ARACY Topical Paper.. Page 52 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

53 Percentage (per cent) A quarter of Queensland children are developmentally vulnerable The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) measures how children have developed by the time they start school across five areas of early childhood development: physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, and communication skills and general knowledge. Children who fall in the lowest 10 per cent in any single domain are considered developmentally vulnerable. In Queensland in 2012, 26 per cent of children were developmentally vulnerable in one or more domains of the AEDC. Queensland has the second highest proportion of children in this category with only the Northern Territory recording a higher percentage of children who were developmentally vulnerable. Fortunately, the proportion of developmentally vulnerable children in Queensland in 2012 has decreased from 29.6 per cent in Figure 33: Proportion of children who are developmentally vulnerable in one or more indicators Vic NSW Tas ACT WA SA Qld NT States and Territories Source: AEDI National Report Re-issue November 2013, Australian Government, Canberra. There is clear evidence from Australia and overseas that the early years of a child s life have a profound impact on their future health, development, learning and wellbeing. The younger the child the more vulnerable a child s brain is to environmental conditions. Adverse experiences can affect brain development in ways that are long lasting. 89 Increased early intervention to further reduce the proportion of developmentally vulnerable pre-school aged children could have a major impact in improving education outcomes, employment, connection to family and community and social cohesion. 89 AIHW Australia s Welfare Child wellbeing (0-14). Page 53 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

54 Percentage (per cent) Children s literacy and numeracy is improving, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children lag significantly The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools and the community can determine whether or not young Australians are meeting educational outcomes. Literacy and numeracy are key basic skills required to access further education, training and employment. In 2014, Queensland students performed below the national average for reading in Year 9 and were about average in terms of numeracy. The performance of Year 9 students is however improving. Between 2008 and 2015, the proportion not meeting minimum standards declined in both reading and numeracy from 8.2 per cent to 6.7 per cent and 6.4 per cent to 2.2 per cent respectively. Figure 34: Proportion of Year 9 students below the minimum standard for reading and numeracy , Queensland Reading Numeracy Years Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. National Assessment Program National Reports, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 A closer look shows significant variation across the group of Year 9 students. Performance declined the further away a student lived from a city. In very remote areas, 30 per cent of students did not meet the minimum standard for reading in Children from non-english speaking backgrounds were about half as likely as other students to meet minimum standards for reading or numeracy. Children whose parents had lower levels of education (less than Year 12) were also less likely to meet minimum standards. Page 54 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

55 Percentage ( per cent) While 21.7 per cent of Year 9 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Queensland failed to meet the minimum standard for reading in 2015, this is an improvement from 27.7 per cent in the first year of NAPLAN in There has been a dramatic improvement in numeracy levels in the last year with only nine per cent now not meeting the minimum standard in Year 9, compared to 24.7 per cent in While these results are encouraging they are still clearly unacceptable, leaving more than 20 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students without appropriate reading skills. Figure 35: Proportion of Year 9 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students below the national minimum standard for reading and numeracy, Queensland Reading Numeracy Years Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. National Assessment Program National Reports, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Page 55 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

56 Percentage (per cent) School attendance among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is lower than non-indigenous students If students miss school regularly, they miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in the later years of education and employment. Each day a student misses can put them behind and affect educational outcomes. Student attendance is measured as a rate, based on comparing the number of school days attended to the total possible days attended. In Queensland, the overall attendance rate is currently 92 per cent. It has not changed significantly in recent years. The attendance rate by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is lower at 84.9 per cent. Figure 36: Rate of school attendance, Queensland, Years Non-Indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Source: Queensland Government. (2015). Reports and statistics: Student attendance by year level, Department of Education and Training; Queensland Government. (2015). Reports and statistics: Attendance rate by year level and Indigenous status, Department of Education and Training Recent longitudinal research on the impact of school absences over time found unequivocally that relative disadvantage was associated with poorer attendance, from the very beginning of formal schooling. Students in schools with lower socioeconomic status, Aboriginal students, students who were highly mobile and those whose parents had lower levels of education and occupational status all had lower levels of attendance. It also found that academic achievement declined with any absence from school and continued to decline as absence rates increased. Among disadvantaged students, achievement declined rapidly with increasing levels of absence. The combination of low socio-economic status and poor attendance rates is particularly damaging to achievement, attainment and further success Zubrick, S. (2014). School attendance: Equities and inequities in growth trajectories of academic performance Page 56 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

57 Percentage (per cent) More Queenslanders are studying beyond school, but some groups are missing out Completion of a post-school qualification at Certificate III or higher reflects people s awareness of the skills needed to work in today s economy. In 2015 in Queensland, 57.3 per cent of people had a qualification at Certificate III or higher. This proportion has been gradually growing during the past decade. Figure 37: Proportion of the population aged with a non-school qualification at Certificate III level or above, Queensland Year Source: ABS Education and Work, Australia, May 2015 Completing a post-school qualification gives people a much higher chance of achieving sustainable employment, in this way they contribute to social inclusion and social mobility in society. Some groups in Queensland, however, are much less likely to have completed a post-school qualification. These include people with the lowest socio-economic status; people living in remote and very remote areas; people who are unemployed or not in the labour force; people who have not completed Year 12; and people aged 65 to Targeted certificate level training in disadvantaged communities to get local people into local jobs could be very beneficial in reducing pockets of poverty and disadvantage. 91 ABS Education and Work, Australia, May 2015 Page 57 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

58 Mean score (out of 500) People who live in disadvantaged areas are much more likely to have lower levels of literacy and numeracy Increasingly, workplaces require employees to have higher levels of literacy and numeracy skills to cope with changing work practices and technological innovations. In Queensland, people living in areas of higher disadvantage and people living in remote areas and in inner regional areas have significantly lower mean literacy and numeracy scores. Figure 38: Mean literacy proficiency score for selected populations Average Population group Source: ABS Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, Australia, Language, literacy and numeracy skills are essential for participation in education and employment. These skills are also needed to participate in everyday financial transactions, to interact effectively with government and non-government services and to navigate and use health and social services and products. People with lower levels of literacy and numeracy find it much more difficult to achieve in life and this can entrench people in low-income jobs and unemployment. Page 58 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

59 Discussion questions about how we can achieve more in life What other domains impact on the proportion of developmentally vulnerable children? How did Queensland improve its numbers of children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, attending kindergarten? How can this rate of change be replicated in other areas? What education reforms are needed to tackle welfare dependency in low socioeconomic areas? And what supplementary reforms are required if education outcomes are to be achieved? Page 59 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016

60 Domain 7 Secure for the future Security, as it relates to wellbeing, can be understood from a number of perspectives. There are global threats to one s sense of future security such as terrorism and climate change, and there are personal threats to security such as illness and crime. Security is also about having choice and control over your life. Two objective aspects of future security that impact on individuals and families are: Economic independence having the economic resources to support an adequate standard of living now and into the future, that is, not relying long-term on government or others for an income. Having stable housing having a secure place to live plays a crucial role in providing a basis for people to manage other parts of their lives, such as health, education and finances. This section looks at how Queenslanders are faring in terms of their future security. Page 60 / April 2016 Queensland s wellbeing 2016