Closing the Gaps: competing estimates of Indigenous Australian life expectancy in the scientific literature

Abstract

Objective: Closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australians within a generation is central to national Indigenous reform policy (Closing the Gap). Over time, various methods of estimating Indigenous life expectancy and with that, the life expectancy gap, have been adopted with differing, albeit non-comparable results. We present data on the extent of the gap and elucidate the pattern of use and interpretations of the different estimates of the gap, between 2007 and 2012.Methods: An extensive search was conducted for all peer-reviewed health publications citing estimates of and/or discussing the life expectancy of Indigenous Australians, for the period 2007–2012.Results: Five predominant patterns of citation of the gap estimates were identified: 20 years, 17 years, 15–20 years, 13 years, and 11.5 years for males and 9.7 years for females. Some authors misinterpret the most recent estimates as reflecting improvement from the 17-year figure, rather than the result of different methods of estimation. Support for the direct methods used to calculate Indigenous life expectancy is indicated.Conclusions and Implications: A specific estimate of the life expectancy gap has not been established among stakeholders in Indigenous health. Agreement on the magnitude of the gap is arguably needed in order to evaluate strategies aimed at improving health outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Moreover, measuring progress towards ‘closing the gap’ depends on the availability of comparable estimates, using the same techniques of measurement to assess changes over time.

Great expectations: An analysis of researchers' and policy makers' perceptions of the potential value of the Australian indigenous burden of disease study for policy

“…The estimates of the IBOD, however, differed from those previously used. Prior to the IBOD study, the variance was often cited as 17 years, and this figure was central to the advocacy campaign leading to the government's official commitment to CTG …”

“…Prior to the IBOD study, the variance was often cited as 17 years, and this figure was central to the advocacy campaign leading to the government's official commitment to CTG. 20,34,35 The availability of Kenneth Hill, a highly respected demographer, to the IBOD research team offered the possibility of recalculating the life expectancy gap using Generalized Growth Balance indirect methods, 36 complementing the IBOD study, but not integral to it. The IBOD estimate of the gap-about 13 years-was much smaller than the accepted ABS estimate, although the difference was a product of the new methodologies and not a basis for comparison.…”

“…25 Overall, both researchers and policy makers accepted that this significantly lower estimate might be more accurate, although this was to provide a source of critical debate following the release of the IBOD study. 35 So he came up with a smaller estimate that seemed plausible based on … the internal logic seemed correct and there was a decision to go with it. (LR).…”

Policy context and narrative leading to the commissioning of the Australian Indigenous Burden of Disease study

“…This particular paper draws on data collected from a literature review, a systematic review, and key informant interviews, to elucidate the story behind the IBoD study – why it was commissioned, the context in which this occurred, and the expectations of the different stakeholders involved. It complements our study on the measurement and presentation of the life expectancy gap in Indigenous health [ 24 ] and will sit alongside related papers examining the process and findings of the IBoD study.…”

Relationship between Life Expectancy as well as Social Intelligence and Adaptability to the Mediating Role of Resistance in High School Boys

“…However, this relationship was not significant in students between the ages of 16 and 18; and the results of this research are in line with those of the present research, which states that there is a significant relationship between social intelligence and adaptability. In addition, Snyder (2007) showed that high levels of hope in university students is a predictor of higher scores, better chances for graduation, and lower likelihood of failure (26). In addition, he indicated that BA graduates with higher scores of hope have better adaptability skills and choose better strategies for their education stages.…”