7. Health behaviours

Abstract

Health behaviours in adulthood influence health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to diet, physical activity, smoking (both active and passive), alcohol and drugs, immunisation against vaccine preventable diseases, cancer screening, injury prevention, and exposure to environmental risk. Preventable disease and premature mortality are directly affected by these health behaviours throughout adulthood. The health behaviours measured in the New South Wales Adult Health Survey 2003 included alcohol intake, environmental health risks, immunisation, injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke in the home.