A new study comparing life expectancies across six English-speaking countries has revealed some interesting findings. Australian women live nearly four years longer than their American counterparts, while Australian men live nearly five years longer. This study, published in BMJ Open, compared life expectancies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
The research highlights that Australia has the greatest life expectancies at birth compared to the other countries studied. However, it also points out that there are still inequalities within Australia itself. For example, life expectancies in the Northern Territory, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up a significant portion of the population, are significantly lower than the national average.
The study used data from the Human Mortality Database and the World Health Organization Mortality Database between 1990 and 2019. It found that Americans have the shortest life expectancy at birth, with women living an average of almost 81.5 years and men living an average of nearly 76.5 years in 2019.
One of the main reasons for the lower life expectancy in the US compared to other high-income countries is the higher rates of preventable causes of death among young people, such as drug overdose, car accidents, and homicide. Australia, on the other hand, has been able to control young adult mortality more effectively, with lower levels of gun deaths, homicides, drug and alcohol use, and better performance on chronic diseases.
Australia also has lower mortality rates from perinatal conditions, congenital anomalies, and motor vehicle accidents compared to countries like the US and Canada. The researchers attribute Australia’s higher life expectancy to factors such as its history of immigration, which has contributed to a higher foreign-born population. Immigrants tend to have higher life expectancies than the native-born population.
Additionally, Australia has had a less severe smoking epidemic compared to countries like the US and the UK, which could contribute to lower mortality rates from respiratory diseases, cancers, and circulatory diseases. The researchers also point out that Australia’s healthcare system outperforms those of other countries studied, which may contribute to the country’s mortality advantage in certain health conditions.
Overall, the study shows that Australia serves as a model for other countries looking to improve life expectancies. However, it also highlights the need to address inequalities within the country, particularly among marginalized populations like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. By understanding the factors that contribute to higher life expectancies in Australia, other countries can work towards improving their own healthcare systems and addressing preventable causes of death to increase life expectancy for all populations.