New Study Reveals Stark Life Expectancy Gaps Across Queensland, Even Within Cities
A new study by researchers at the University of Queensland has revealed dramatic differences in life expectancy across Queensland, with some communities just kilometres apart experiencing gaps of more than two decades.
In some cases, communities just five train stops apart—less than 5 kilometres by road—showed more than 20 years’ difference in the median age of death for men. The study also identified a 26-year gap in age of death between males living only 85 kilometres apart.
“The median age of death for women in Queensland can span between 68 and 88 years, and between 60 and 83 years for men,” health geographer Associate Professor Jonathan Olsen from the Institute for Social Science Research explained.
“Residents in South East Queensland generally have a longer life expectancy than people elsewhere in the state, but what may surprise people is the difference in data within cities.”
The research team used geospatial data and railway stations as geographic markers to map health statistics across the state. By overlaying median age of death data onto Queensland’s rail network, they uncovered striking spatial inequalities.
Dr Olsen said factors shaping population health range from social, environmental, and economic conditions to cultural and commercial influences. He emphasized that spatially referenced data can be an invaluable tool for guiding targeted, place-based health initiatives, such as upgrading green spaces or expanding infrastructure for active travel.
“Interventions can be tailored to specific communities and have been found to be most effective when co-designed with the communities themselves,” he added.
Achieving equitable health outcomes across Queensland remains a complex challenge, given the state’s vast area of more than 1.7 million square kilometres and uneven population distribution. Dr Olsen noted that geospatial data can help identify where resources are most needed and monitor the impact of health initiatives at all levels.
The findings underscore the importance of targeted, community-driven strategies to address health inequalities, even in areas that may appear similar on the map but differ greatly in health outcomes.
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