Progress and Challenges in Reducing Life Expectancy Gaps Across Australia

Australia has witnessed notable progress in narrowing socioeconomic disparities in life expectancy since the late 2010s, a trend highlighted in recent research conducted by The Australian National University (ANU). This improvement sets Australia apart from many other high-income nations. The comprehensive study, published in The Lancet Public Health, was led by demographers and population health experts from ANU, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne.

According to study lead Dr. Sergey Timonin, the disparities in life expectancy between affluent and disadvantaged regions, which had been widening for decades, plateaued just before the COVID-19 pandemic and did not significantly worsen during this period. The research indicates that from 2017 to 2018, the gap in life expectancy was at its peak, but subsequent years saw a meaningful trend toward reduction, especially among men.

Despite these encouraging signs, disparities persist. In 2020–22, individuals living in the most disadvantaged areas still faced a life expectancy that was approximately 4.9 years shorter for women and 6.6 years shorter for men compared to those in the most advantaged regions. This underscores the ongoing need for public health initiatives aimed at addressing health inequalities.

The study utilized integrated datasets from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), notably the Personal Linked Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) and the ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD), to assess economic and social conditions influencing health outcomes. The analysis also identified key causes of death contributing to life expectancy gaps, including lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and heart disease.

While Australia's success in reducing smoking-related illnesses has contributed positively, certain health issues like lung cancer still perpetuate disparities due to the long latency period of exposure. External factors such as suicide, road traffic injuries, and substance-related deaths further impact life expectancy, especially among men.

On an international scale, Australian life expectancy compares favorably to countries like Japan and the United States. Women across all socioeconomic strata in Australia have life expectancies between those of Japan and the US, while men in Australia’s most advantaged areas surpass Japan’s national averages. Even in disadvantaged regions, the overall life expectancy remains higher than the US average.

The research emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring of health inequalities, which is vital for shaping effective policies aimed at improving population health and reducing disparities across all regions of Australia.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-australian-life-inequality-narrows-disadvantaged.html