Australia’s 45 healthiest places to live revealed in AIA Vitality Zones report

These are the places where people are living up to eight years longer than the national average and are less prone to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. See if your suburb made the cut.

Australia’s 45 healthiest regions – where residents are living up to eight years longer than the national average, and are less prone to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease – have been revealed.

NSW is home to the highest number of physically and mentally healthy local government areas (LGAs), with 13, according to new research from insurance company AIA Australia.

SA and WA (nine each), and Victoria (eight) are close behind, while Tasmania and Queensland have three apiece.

Researchers crunched the latest data from Australia’s Health Tracker, surveyed more than 2000 Australians, and analysed average life expectancy and public hospital admission figures to identify the nation’s healthiest areas for the AIA Vitality Zones report.

They found a combination of socio-economic and infrastructure factors, combined with residents’ positive lifestyle habits and mindsets, elevated the LGAs.

According to AIA, people living in the 45 health-forward zones:

Live up to eight years longer than the national average to have an average lifespan of 83.4 years – a figure that rises to 85.1 years in Victoria’s top LGAs;

Are 43 per cent less likely to die a “preventable death” like conditions like diabetes, respiratory and circulatory system issues;

Have lower rates of most major chronic conditions, including lung conditions, diabetes (both 30 per cent), and kidney and heart disease (14 per cent); and,

Collectively save the Australian public hospital system an estimated $371.4m each year, visiting hospitals for general admissions one-third less than the rest of the nation.

So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Are the residents of these regions healthier because they live there, or are the LGAs healthier because they’re home to health-conscious people?

Dr. Preeya Alexander.

AIA health expert and GP Preeya Alexander said the people in these areas were “more likely to engage in regular to moderate-intensity exercise, cook nutritious meals, drink water over sweetened beverages, and be connected to family, friends and community”.

But they were clearly advantaged by where they lived, she added, noting 37 of the LGAs had a socio-economic index score of more than 1000, indicating few residents with low incomes, no qualifications and low-skilled occupations.

They also skewed towards metropolitan areas with access to quality green spaces, recreational areas and public transport systems, according to AIA’s findings.

“This research highlights that there are social determinants of health,” she said. “If everyone had access to health information that was reliable, had higher levels of health literacy and financial stability (that allowed them to) afford fruit and vegetables, and access to green space, that would impact health outcomes.”

Dr Alexander said regardless of where they lived, all Aussies could adopt the healthy habits of residents in these LGAs.

“These people aren’t doing anything that fancy,” she said. “It’s not foolproof, but it’s about risk reduction.”

Bayside is one of Australia's healthiest LGAs. Brighton residents the Gregson family – Cameron, Tracy, Josi and Mackenzie – enjoy staying active. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

AIA Australia chief executive Damien Mu said the research revealed opportunities at both individual and government levels to “make tangible changes that can have a profound positive impact on societal health and wellbeing”. This included making health and wellbeing education, resources and support more accessible nationwide.

Tracy Gregson – a resident of Bayside, Victoria, for 33 years – said living in beachside suburb Brighton had both encouraged and allowed her to lead a healthy life.

“You can walk to the station, schools, the shops – I can walk around the corner and get good quality, affordable fruit and vegetables,” the physiotherapist and mum of three said.

“Every morning, my husband, Cameron, and I get up at 10 to six and walk the dog or go to the gym, we swim in the bay, play golf, garden, do yoga.

“Getting into nature is also really important for reducing stress and inflammation.”

Australia’s healthiest LGAs

NSW – Blue Mountains, Georges River, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Kuring-gai, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Woollahra

SA – Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Burnside, Elliston, Holdfast Bay, Mitcham, Port Adelaide Enfield, Unley, Wakefield

VIC – Bayside, Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, Nillumbik, Queenscliffe, Stonnington, Whitehorse

WA – Cambridge, Canning, Claremont, Cottesloe, Gosnells, Murray, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Perth

TAS – Glenorchy, Hobart, Launceston

QLD – Brisbane, Gympie, Noosa

Source: AIA Vitality Zones report

Originally published as Australia’s 45 healthiest places to live revealed in AIA Vitality Zones report