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released: 5 May 2011 author: AIHW media release

Numerous studies have indicated that the gap between indigenous and non indigenous people's life expectancy in Australia is greater than in New Zealand, Canada and the United States of America (USA). However, difficulties related to concepts, data and methods behind such estimates throw doubt on conclusions drawn from country comparison studies. This report suggests that the uncertainty associated with indigenous life expectancy estimates could be quite large. Consequently, it is difficult to draw conclusions regarding cross-country differences.

ISBN 978-1-74249-141-7; Cat. no. IHW 47; 48pp.; Internet only

Publication

Publication table of contents

  • Preliminary pages
    • Title and verso title
    • Contents
    • Acknowledgments
    • Abbreviations
    • Summary
  • Body content
    • Introduction
    • Life expectancy estimation methods used for indigenous populations
      • Australian estimates
        • Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates
        • Other Australian estimates of life expectancy
      • New Zealand estimates
        • Statistics New Zealand life tables
        • New Zealand Census–Mortality Study life tables
        • Population census data for New Zealand Maori
        • Death data for New Zealand Maori
        • Mortality rates and life expectancy
      • Canadian estimates
        • Population census data for Canadian Aboriginal people
        • Death data for Canadian Aboriginal populations
        • Mortality rates and life expectancy of Aboriginal Canadians
      • United States of America estimates
        • Census population data for American Indians and Native Alaskans
        • Death data for American Indians and Alaskan Natives
        • Mortality rates and life expectancy
    • Published comparisons of indigenous life expectancies
      • Papers presenting country comparisons
      • Sources of life expectancy estimates
      • Handling uncertainty in indigenous life expectancy estimates
      • Conclusions drawn in comparison papers about country differences
      • What message do the comparison papers collectively convey?
      • What should be concluded about country differences?
      • How should comparisons be made? Or, towards best practice
    • Conclusion
  • End matter
    • Appendix tables
    • References

Recommended citation

AIHW 2011. Comparing life expectancy of indigenous people in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States: conceptual, methodological and data issues. Cat. no. IHW 47. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 12 June 2013 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=10737418934>.