Education levels can impact life expectancies by more than seven years, according to new Australian research.
A study carried out by Melbourne’s Monash University found Australian males aged 25 years, who had completed at least a bachelor’s degree had 7.3 years greater life expectancy than men of the same age who completed year 11 or below.
Senior Author Zanfina Ademi said they also found females aged 25 years with a high level of education experienced 3.9 years greater life expectancy than those with low education.
Professor Ademi said policies focused on reducing disparities in health outcomes were increasing globally and nationally, however, looking broadly at socioeconomic inequalities in health based on the area in which you lived may lack precision.
“In this study we’ve honed in on education status to gain a deeper understanding, at the individual level, of how education attainment impacts both the quantity (mortality) and the quality of life gained in Australia,” she said.
“What we uncovered is significant inequalities in life expectancy among Australians depending on education attainment, which is concerning.”
Professor Ademi said monitoring inequalities related to educational attainment was essential to inform policy for health equity.
“It’s our hope this national snapshot of education-related health inequality can help measure progress and support intersectoral policy discussion.”
Read the full study: Inequalities in Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy in Australia by Educational Attainment.
