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Average life expectancy of males and females in Tasmania. Any change in the life expectancy of the Tasmanian population is directly linked to the health of the community and community behaviours. Shortened life expectancy may be due to inappropriate behaviour or recreational choices, such as speeding in motor vehicles or undertaking dangerous pursuits, or by the community not being actively involved in healthy lifestyles (such as poor diet). In 1999 Tasmanian females had a median age at death of 80.5; in 1999 Tasmanian males had a median age at death of 75.4; and the median age at death was 0.6 years higher then the Australian median for males and 0.6 years lower than the Australian median for females. In 1999 the highest number of infant deaths since 1994 was recorded (27 males and 19 females); this represented an increase of 35% on the 1998 total (34). The male infant mortality rate was 8.8 per 1,000 live births, representing an increase in the 1998 rate of 7.9. The infant mortality rate for females was 6.4 per 1,000 live births, representing an increase on the 1998 rate of 3.4 (ABS 1999b). Median age at death (1999) Males Females Tasmania (1989) 72.5 78.4 Tasmania (1999) 75.4 80.5 Australia (1999) 74.8 81.4 Source: ABS 1999b The median age at death for Tasmanian males was 0.6 years higher than the Australian median. The median age at death for Tasmanian females was also 0.6 years lower than the Australian median but significantly higher than for males. The trend in median ages for both males and females has continued to gradually increase. State of the Environment Tasmania indicator |
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