The National Health Priority Areas initiative began in 1996 with cardiovascular health, cancer control, injury prevention and control, and mental health. Diabetes mellitus was added in 1997, followed by asthma in 1999, arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in 2002 and obesity in 2008.
Dementia was added to the list in 2012, bringing the total to 9 priority areas.
Visit the AIHW website for more info.