This course introduces students to the broad concepts surrounding demographic characteristics of the Australian population: Location, age, ethnicity, gender, Socio-economic status and education. Changes in the Australian population over time: births, deaths, migration and changes in the composition of the population will be examined. Throughout this course, epidemiological pattern of the Australian population, what make people sick and well will be explored. Factors that impact on the health status of the population and how these factors are measured, compare=sons of the health status of Australia with other nations, the structure of the Australian health care system, how decision are made about health service activity, access, resource allocation, federal/state relations, paying for health will all be explored. Methods for accessing health and demographic data will also be introduced as well as the interpretation of data.