Question

Average life expectancy for Canadians and Australians varies depending upon ethnic background (Davidson, 2019, p. 8).

What are some factors that may explain the differences in life expectancy of these two groups of people? Are there similar factors that these two groups share?

Answer 1

The fact not be denied that both Australia and Canada have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. But it is equally true that this figure varies widely depending upon ethnic background. For instance people of Richmond in Canada have the highest life expectancy of 83.4 years while residents of Nunavik have a life expectancy of as low as 66.7 years. The main factor behind this difference is the uneven distribution and reach of healthcare and other medical facities in these region. Most of these ethnic groups are considered socially backward and uneducated and hence lacks even the minimum standards of necessary healthcare. Other concerns like poverty and unemployment also prevails in these society. As a result, there are more cases of permanent chronic medical conditions, infant mortality and suicides are found in these groups when compared to the rest of the general Canadian population. These groups also reflects prevalence of smoking, heavy drinking and violence which further increases the difference.

The same difference can be seen in Australian sub continent. In a research it was found that for the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people 8.6 years lesser than that of the non-Indigenous population. The main factor behind this difference was mainly found to be poverty, poor health condition and nutrition deficiency, miserable living conditions, loss of their traditional lands, uneducation, unemployment, racism, and inability to address the authorities for this group.