Australia, despite its reputation for dangerous wildlife, has consistently led the English-speaking world in life expectancy over the past three decades. This stands in contrast to other high-income Anglophone countries, where Ireland has seen the greatest improvements in life expectancy while the United States has lagged behind since the early 1990s.
These findings were detailed in a study published in BMJ Open by a team of social scientists led by Penn State researcher Jessica Ho.
Ho, an associate professor of sociology and demography, highlighted that examining the performance of other countries can provide valuable insights for the U.S. She emphasized that the gains observed in countries like Australia and Ireland are achievable benchmarks for improving American life expectancy. The study underscores the potential for progress based on the successes of other large, developed nations.
The research compared life expectancy data across the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand from 1990 to 2019. This analysis covered various factors, including age, sex, and specific causes of death such as cancer, drug-related fatalities, and motor vehicle collisions. It also examined geographical disparities within each country.
Findings from the study revealed that Australians had the highest life expectancy at birth during the period studied, with significant advantages over Americans—women lived nearly four years longer and men five years longer.
Ireland saw the most substantial gains, with notable increases in life expectancy for both men and women. In contrast, the U.S. had the lowest life expectancy, with significant regional disparities. For instance, states like California and Hawaii had higher life expectancies compared to the American Southeast.
The study identified preventable causes of death, such as drug overdoses and traffic accidents, as major factors contributing to lower American life expectancy. Ho pointed to unhealthy lifestyle factors, including high obesity rates and poor diet, as contributing to higher mortality rates.
The research suggests that adopting policies similar to those implemented in Australia, such as stricter gun control, improved public health initiatives, and better support for drug treatment, could help address these issues and improve life expectancy in the United States.
