Early Deaths: A Head To Head With Australia That NZ Doesn't Want To Win

A new study indicates New Zealand is lagging behind Australia when it comes to mortality rates and life expectancy.

Professor Valery Feigin, director of AUT’s National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience (NISAN), says the study in The Lancet highlights the urgent need for more targeted and effective health prevention programmes.

“We need to focus on healthier lifestyles, better blood pressure control, and tackling obesity if we want to reduce preventable deaths and close the health gap with Australia.”

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 shows significant differences in mortality and disease patterns between Aotearoa and our trans-Tasman neighbours.

While global age-standardised mortality rates have declined since 1990, New Zealand’s mortality (431 deaths per 100,000 people) remains markedly higher than Australia’s (347 per 100,000).

Life expectancy in New Zealand (81.6 years) also trails that of Australia (84.0 years).

Professor Feigin says ischaemic heart disease is the number one killer in both countries. “However, in New Zealand the rate is almost twice that of Australia.

“Stroke is our second leading cause of death, while in Australia it’s now Alzheimer’s disease.”

High body mass index (BMI) is the leading risk factor in both countries, contributing 8.5% of the disease burden in New Zealand compared with 7.0% in Australia.

“High blood pressure is New Zealand’s second major risk factor, suggesting gaps in cardiovascular prevention,” Professor Feigin continues.

“Smoking was the second major risk factor for Australians.

“This suggests that New Zealand’s smoking reduction strategies have worked well, although it’s clear our blood pressure control measures lag,” Professor Feigin concludes.

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