Australia’s unhealthiest regions revealed in new research identifying top danger zones – realestate.com.au

You’ve scrutinized the school zones, crunched the capital growth numbers and fallen in love with the kitchen, but there’s a hidden factor in your home search that could be far more important: your health.

Health comparison experts at iSelect have pulled back the curtain on the country’s health hotspots and risks, painstakingly analyzing 21 factors across housing, climate, public health and access to healthcare.

The results are a clear wake-up call, revealing the areas where chronic diseases thrive, life expectancy is plummeting and your address could literally shorten your life.

Australia’s unhealthiest hotspots

Leading the pack as Australia’s unhealthiest region is Latrobe-Gippsland in Victoria, with an alarming ‘unhealthy’ score of 62.02 out of 100.

The region is hard hit by poor health outcomes for the population and weaker housing conditions.

According to the study, residents here exhibit very high levels of chronic disease (48.3 percent), a lower life expectancy of just 80.6 years, and high rates of premature (246 per 100,000) and preventable deaths (127 per 100,000).

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Adding to the burden, the cold and humid climate, with 117 cold days and 94 cold nights per year, places additional strain on respiratory and cardiovascular health.

In second place is Darling Downs-Maranoa in Queensland, with a score of 59.96.

The health of the population is the main concern here, with the region ranking among the bottom ten nationally for life expectancy (80.7 years) and among the top ten for premature deaths (260.1 per 100,000) and preventable deaths (146 per 100,000).

Extreme heat also plays an important role, with approximately 46 very hot days and 63 warm nights per year.

This challenge is further compounded by relatively weaker access to healthcare services, which contributes to the region’s higher overall risk score.

Tony Hanns in his destroyed asbestos unit with its roof ripped off during a November storm on Bribie Island. Asbestosis can cause chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Photo: Steve Pohlner

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Western and North West Tasmania round out the top three unhealthiest regions, with a score of 58.88 out of 100.

This area records a high public health and outcomes score of 90.73, associated with a cold, wet and damp environment.

Residents endure approximately 96 days of high humidity, 182 cold days and 90 cold nights per year. These conditions can exacerbate respiratory problems, increase the risk of mold and affect overall livability, a situation exacerbated by housing conditions that are slightly below average.

“Where you live can have a big impact on your health and well-being,”

Australia is also facing a significant mold crisis, which has been exacerbated by recent wet weather and warmer temperatures. This has led to widespread problems in homes, especially rental and public housing, causing serious health problems and halting major projects such as prison expansions, with experts calling for urgent changes to building regulations to tackle poor ventilation and humidity in modern homes.

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Health at iSelect general manager Andres Gutierrez said.

“Our research shows that residents in regional and remote areas often face multiple challenges, from limited access to health care and hospital beds to higher rates of chronic disease and exposure to extreme climate conditions. These factors can make it more difficult to stay healthy and effectively manage existing conditions.”

A look at the healthiest

In stark contrast, Australia’s healthiest places to live tend to be inner cities and coastal areas, where good health outcomes, easier access to healthcare and more favorable living conditions come together.

These areas generally benefit from higher life expectancy, fewer chronic diseases and better access to medical services.

Inner Perth in Western Australia stands out as the healthiest region in the country, with an ‘unhealthy score’ of just 9.92 out of 100.

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The country excels in public health, with a life expectancy of 85 years and well below the average rate of premature and preventable deaths.

South West Perth and inner city Brisbane are also among the healthiest, demonstrating the benefits of a robust healthcare infrastructure and conducive living environment.

This research underlines a crucial point: your geographic location is a powerful determinant of your health. For many Australians, understanding these regional differences could be the first step toward a healthier future.