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While Australia's ageing population is rapidly growing in number, new research suggests politicians have found the key to longevity as they are outliving the public by an average of seven years.
The QUT and Oxford University study analysed data of close to 60,000 politicians in 11 countries and revealed a surprising inequality in life expectancy.
"We can clearly see they are no longer representative of the general public with regards to their life expectancy," Professor Adrien Barnett from the Queensland University of Technology says.
He says that because of their high status and wealth, they often have easier access to healthcare.
"They also receive a larger pension after they stop working, so it shows that wealth really counts here."
Adrien expects the gap to continue to grow if the wealth and education of the general public is not lifted to meet higher standards.
Join Aged Care Insite in a discussion with Adrien about life expectancy, healthy longevity and status inequality.
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