The life expectancy gap in two Brisbane suburbs is 15 years. Despite being 1.6km away
Sydney Morning Herald
by Courtney KrukFebruary 26, 2026
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Women living in Murarrie, a suburb of Brisbane, are dying 15 years younger on average than those in neighboring Cannon Hill, according to a groundbreaking study by the University of Queensland. This stark disparity, despite the two suburbs being just 1.6 kilometers apart, highlights significant health inequities across Brisbane. Researchers used train stations as geographic markers to map life expectancy data, revealing that women in Murarrie have a median age of death 15 years lower than those in Cannon Hill. Men also face a substantial gap, with those in Zillmere living 10 fewer years on average compared to residents of Geebung, just a few kilometers away.
The study attributes these disparities to a combination of social, economic, and environmental factors, including income levels, access to education, housing quality, and local services. Areas like Inala-Richlands and Darra, which are less than six kilometers apart by car, also show significant differences in health outcomes. Men in Inala-Richlands have a life expectancy of 70 years, compared to 81 years for men in Darra, while women in these areas experience an 12-year gap. These disparities are further compounded by cultural and demographic factors, such as higher rates of single-parent households and lower average incomes in affected areas.
The research underscores the importance of addressing health inequities through targeted policy interventions. By identifying specific neighborhoods with poor health outcomes, policymakers can prioritize
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/26/2026