Disadvantaged Men Still Die Nearly Seven Years Earlier
Australia has made progress in closing the gap in life expectancy, but there are still big differences. A new report from the Australian National University says that men living in the poorest areas of the country still die almost seven years earlier than men living in the richest areas. The difference is still almost five years for women.
Turning Point Before the Pandemic
According to the study’s lead author, ANU demographer Sergey Timonin, the gap between the most advantaged and disadvantaged areas stopped widening just before the Covid pandemic began. He said the pandemic years didn’t significantly worsen the situation. “Inequalities in life expectancy increased for many decades before peaking in 2017–2018,” Timonin said. “Since then, there has been a positive trend toward narrowing these disparities, particularly among men.”
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Gradual Improvement but Inequality Persists
Disadvantaged areas continue to lag behind when it comes to life expectancy in comparison to the rest of the population, even as recent as 2022. Timonin noted that the gap has been closing with some improvement since the peak in 2017. “So it decreased approximately half a year for males and 0.4 years for females, compared to the peak in 2017,” he said. “The change is not that great, but the trend has changed.” He also pointed out that the bottom decile still lives, on average, five to seven years less than the top decile.
Average Life expectancy map of Australia
Top Causes Behind the Gap
The study identified three leading causes of death behind the persistent inequality. Lung cancer, chronic respiratory illness, and heart disease continue to drive differences in longevity. Although smoking rates have declined, the impact of past smoking continues to affect health. The long delay between exposure and disease means smoking-related illnesses remain a major concern.
Other Deadly Risks in Disadvantaged Areas
The researchers also found that external causes such as suicide, substance-related deaths, and road traffic injuries played a major role. These causes had a particularly strong impact among men, compounding the effects of chronic illnesses. Such factors continue to contribute to lower life expectancy in poorer communities.
Global Comparison Shows Mixed Results
The research compared Australia’s life expectancy data with countries like Japan and the United States. Timonin said Australian women across all social groups sit between Japan and the US in terms of longevity. “Female life expectancy in all Australian areas by socioeconomic status sits between Japan and the US,” he said. For men, the findings are more encouraging. “Male life expectancy in Australia’s five most advantaged areas, comprising around half the population, surpasses Japan’s national average,” he added.
Americans Lag While Australians Improve
While the findings reveal a wide gap within Australia, they also highlight global contrasts. “While this may be bad news for Americans, it is good news for Australians,” Timonin said. “Even in our most disadvantaged areas, life expectancy is higher than the US average for both men and women.”
Health Gains Concentrated in Wealthier Areas
People living in affluent suburbs now enjoy life expectancies higher than those in countries with the longest global lifespans. Better access to healthcare, healthier lifestyles, and education appear to drive these gains. Yet for Australians in poorer regions, those benefits remain out of reach, keeping the health divide in place.
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Call for Continued Monitoring and Policy Action
The researchers argue that tracking inequality in health outcomes must continue. Monitoring helps shape public policy, directs resources, and ensures no group is left behind. They say narrowing the gap further requires consistent attention from government and health systems.
The Lingering Impact of Smoking
Despite major public health campaigns, lung cancer remains a leading cause of death in disadvantaged communities. This is due to the long-term effects of smoking, even as rates fall. The legacy of high smoking prevalence still drives present-day disease and death.
Urgent Need for Targeted Health Programs
The ANU team called for stronger interventions in areas most at risk. That includes better healthcare access, more preventive services, and stronger support for mental health and addiction. They said programs must address both the causes of poor health and the social conditions that worsen it.
Australia Leads But Cannot Be Complacent
Australia continues to rank high globally in life expectancy, but the national average masks internal gaps. While men in wealthier areas now live longer than their Japanese counterparts, others fall well behind. The researchers concluded that continued investment, targeted policy, and equity-focused strategies are essential to improving health outcomes for all Australians.
