“A grim picture”: Rural Aussies are dying younger than urban counterparts

A new report shows that a tree change may actually be bad for your health, revealing avoidable deaths in Australia's regions are nearly four times higher than in metropolitan areas.

The National Rural Health Alliance's (NRHA) Rural Health in Australia Snapshot 2025 examined data on the health risks and outcomes of those living in the bush compared to the cities, finding that a lack of infrastructure and accessible healthcare is outweighing any benefit rural areas have to offer.

While the life expectancy of Australians at birth varies between the indigenous and non-indigenous population and across geographical areas, the Snapshot shows there is a distinct gap between individuals who live in rural to remote areas when compared with their urban counterparts.

“Men in very remote areas are dying up to 13.6 years earlier and women up to 12.7 years earlier than those in metropolitan areas” - NHRA Snapshot 2025

NRHA chief Susi Tegen said nearly 18,500 people in Australia still have no access to essential primary healthcare services within an hour’s drive of their home and while this is an improvement on the organisations last data collection, the report “paints a grim picture” of the nation's health inequities.

“This data highlights the shameful failure to adequately provide funding and services to rural Australians, who contribute so much to our economy. Why are they treated like second-class citizens, with a staggering $848 less spent per person per year on healthcare?” Ms Tegen said.

NHRA data shows 22.9 per cent of Australians over 65 reside in inner regional towns, with around 10 percent in very remote areas, where a greater proportion of the population are overweight or obese, as well as much more likely to smoke and consume alcohol at higher rates.

These lifestyle factors contribute significantly to the burden of disease experienced outside of the city. Type 2 diabetes, heart and kidney disease, stroke and suicide are all among the leading causes of disease burden.

“In Major Cities, the burden is 173.7 DALYs [WHO'sDisability-adjusted Life Years] per 100,000 population, while Remote areas experience 243.9 DALYs per 100,000” - NHRA Snapshot 2025

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“The Snapshot reinforces the urgent need for immediate action, especially with the Federal election on the horizon. It is a wake-up call to say enough is enough. For decades, we have known about the healthcare challenges, the additional costs, and the tyranny of distance, but there has been too little action,” Ms Tegen said.

“Rural Australia has its own identity and requires tailored, place-based solutions to meet its unique geographic and societal needs. We call for a National Rural Health Strategy under the National Health Reform Agreement. This will coordinate Commonwealth, State, and Territory policy, investment and service delivery to ensure tailored, sustainable solutions. We also call for ‘block’ and infrastructure funding, that is equitable.

“The solutions exist on the ground. It is time to step up, allow for flexibility, prioritise equity and address these glaring disparities. The NRHA is willing to work with any government to rectify this as the health of rural Australia cannot wait any longer.”