Why these Aussie communities are living longer than the rest of us

ARTICLE

1 March 2025

3 min read

Some communities in Australia are so healthy, they’re outliving the average Aussie. So, what’s their secret and how can the rest of us keep up?

Australia is ‘the lucky country’ but are we the healthiest? We set out to see how well Aussies are really living and discovered 45 communities where residents are not only healthier, but living longer than the national average.

Dubbed ‘AIA Vitality Zones,’ these thriving communities prove that even the smallest changes go a long way on the road to longevity.

We need to care for our entire wellbeing

Good health is multi-faceted. And the AIA Vitality Zones prove it. These communities have lower rates of chronic disease and thrive because they consider and nurture multiple aspects of their wellbeing, investing time in nutrition as much as their mental and physical strength.

Health is a lifelong investment

It’s well known that building healthy habits over time yields lasting benefits. Socialising with friends, moving your body and eating a nutritious diet go hand in hand to support our overall wellbeing, both now and in the long term. The people living in the AIA Vitality Zones know this well. People in these communities were more likely to engage in regular moderate intensity physical activity and stay socially connected to family, friends and community - more so than the national average.

We can learn from our own communities

As a practising GP, I see people from all walks of life. Each of us has our own way of supporting our mental and physical wellbeing. For some, gardening is the way to mindfulness, not box breathing. For others, daily walks bring more satisfaction and strength than time on the treadmill. No matter where you live or what your lifestyle looks like, we can all draw inspiration from others within our own community, as well as those living in AIA Vitality Zones. So, get curious, look to how the healthiest, happiest people around you nurture their own wellbeing, and don’t be afraid to try new things!

Longevity can seem like a lofty, even overwhelming goal, but as AIA’s Vitality Zones attest: health is not about perfection, it’s about the little things you can do day to day. Being conscious of our health and taking small, consistent steps to care for it is what will keep us living healthier and happier, well into our twilight years.

Dr Preeya Alexander

Dr Preeya Alexander is a general practitioner based in Melbourne and our resident AIA Vitality Expert. She’s passionate about improving health and wellbeing literacy for all Australians. A prominent expert health educator, Preeya has featured across a range of TV, news and digital media, as well as running her own successful blog, The Wholesome Doctor.

Disclaimer:
Copyright © 2025 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other advice. The source information of the articles is current as of the date of publication and may be subject to change. While the information contained herein is believed to be accurate, AIA Australia expressly disclaims any and all liability for representations or warranties, expressed or implied, contained in, or for omissions from, the information.

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