Why where you live in Melbourne can predict your lifespan

Startling new research uncovers the influence where you live has on your lifespan. Check the results for your area.

Lee and Barry McCormack say living by the beach has helped them to keep fit. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Where you live in Victoria has a big influence on your life expectancy — with a staggering 30-year difference across Melbourne suburbs.

In regional Victoria, the difference in lifespans is 21 years, according to public health data that reveals the suburbs and neighbourhoods where Victorians are living the longest and dying the quickest.

In Melbourne’s CBD the median age of death is just 59, while in Ashburton it is 89.

The research by the Public Health Information Development Unit at the private Torrens University exposes the major disparities in the median age of death across Melbourne.

People in Melbourne’s high-rise towers are probably going to live a long time. Picture: Getty Images

The most graphic differential is between communities in the east and the west that are about the same distance from the CBD.

In Camberwell and Surrey Hills in the east, the average lifespan is 88 years. But in the western suburbs of Derrimut and Deer Park, it is just 71.

Professor John Glover of the research unit said the data showed a complex situation in the city, where socio-economic factors, including access to healthcare and unemployment, fuelled the death rate.

“In Melbourne CBD you have people in high-rise towers who are probably going to live for a long time, and people in Elizabeth Street hostels and doss houses and those who are living on the streets. That complicates it a bit for the CBD and Docklands,” he said.

In outer suburban areas, for example, there were higher percentages of 15 to 24-year-olds dying. “The kids are driving out on roads that might be a bit windy or not as good,” said Prof Glover.

“Events like road traffic accidents among young people lower the median age, and the location of residential aged-care facilities raise the median age.”

He pointed to a range of eight years between Frankston and Frankston South in median age of death.

“When you look at Frankston they have higher lives lost (in younger age groups), while Frankston South deaths are in older age groups. It makes a difference of eight years, which is a minor example of what’s going on.”

The aspect of the Victorian data that stood out to him was the geographical spread of the median age of deaths.

“You can see the standard pattern of suburbs close to the city and in the east have the highest ages and the suburbs further out, particularly in the west and the outer north have some of the lowest median ages, which is a typical socio-economic disadvantage. It becomes very clear.”

Those living on the streets in Melbourne’s CBD face a host of threats to their longevity. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

In Camberwell, the average lifespan is 88 years. Picture: Jay Town

He hoped social and health policy makers would study the data to improve the outcomes of people living in poorer areas of the city and regions.

“We know they are there, but we don’t seem to be able to make changes and address the issues,” he said.

The figures also reveal the number of potential years of life lost due to premature death compared with the national average. This relates to death before the age of 75.

In Melbourne, Frankston North was 55 per cent higher than the average, while regionally, French Island was 155 per cent higher than average.

Again, there was a “strong influence of socio-economic disadvantage” evident in the pattern of potential years of life “with deaths of young males of note in many outer suburbs,” Prof Glover said.

In regional Victoria, women live six years longer than men. Picture: Getty Images

Victorian women live longer on average compared to men.

The lifespan of females in Melbourne is five years longer than that of males, while in regional Victoria, it is six years longer for females compared to males.

Lee McCormack, 74, said living by the beach and near several parks had allowed her to keep active by going on walks along the water while being surrounded by greenery, which added to her overall quality of life.

The Bayside area is well-equipped with healthcare facilities and essential services. Picture: Josie Hayden

Victorian women live longer on average compared to men.

The lifespan of females in Melbourne is five years longer than that of males, while in regional Victoria, it is six years longer for females compared to males.

Lee McCormack, 74, said living by the beach and near several parks had allowed her to keep active by going on walks along the water while being surrounded by greenery, which added to her overall quality of life.

“There are lots of places to go for walks and keep fit,” Ms McCormack said.

“Living by the beach means we are outdoors a lot of the time,” she said.

Ms McCormack said the Bayside area was also well-equipped with healthcare facilities and essential services.

“There is lots of access to healthcare here,” she said.

“We have every convenience possible.”

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