Australians are living longer than previous generations.
That's something worth celebrating.
But here's a question we don't hear nearly as often:
Are we spending those extra years in good health?
Living longer and living healthier might sound like the same thing. But when researchers look at Australia's health statistics, they measure them differently.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Australians have gained both years of life and years lived in full health.
However, the proportion of life spent in full health has remained relatively stable over the past two decades.¹
It's an interesting finding that raises a bigger question.
Should we focus only on how long we live, or also on how we experience those years?
Let's look at what Australia's health data actually tells us.
Australians Are Living Longer — Here's What the Numbers Say
Life expectancy is one of the most widely used measures of population health.
It estimates how many years a person could expect to live if current age-specific mortality rates continued throughout their lifetime.
According to the AIHW's Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024, estimated life expectancy at birth was:
- 81.6 years for Australian males
- 85.5 years for Australian females¹
These figures are population averages, not predictions of how long any particular person will live.
And they represent an improvement compared with 2003.
In that year, estimated life expectancy was 78.1 years for males and 83.0 years for females.
By 2024, that represented an increase of 3.5 years for males and 2.5 years for females.²
But life expectancy alone doesn't tell us how those additional years are experienced.
For that, researchers use another measure.
What Is Healthy Life Expectancy?
You might have heard the term life expectancy.
But have you come across health-adjusted life expectancy, or HALE?
HALE estimates the number of years a person could expect to live in full health, accounting for the effects of disease and injury.¹
In other words:
Life expectancy estimates the total number of years lived.
Healthy life expectancy estimates the equivalent number of those years lived in full health.
This doesn't mean researchers can predict exactly when someone will develop a health condition.
It's a statistical measure used to understand population health.
And when we compare the two figures, the difference becomes interesting.
How Many Years Are Australians Spending in Full Health?
AIHW estimates for Australians born in 2024
|
Measure |
Males |
Females |
|
Life expectancy |
81.6 years |
85.5 years |
|
Healthy life expectancy |
71.7 years |
73.8 years |
|
Estimated years in ill health |
9.9 years |
11.7 years |
|
Proportion of life in full health |
88% |
86% |
The distinction is important.
Australians are living longer, but not every additional year is necessarily a year lived in full health.
And that's where the long-term trend becomes especially interesting.
We're Gaining Healthy Years, but Also More Years in Ill Health
Between 2003 and 2024, Australian males gained approximately 3.5 years in total life expectancy.
Of those additional years, around 2.3 were years in full health.
Australian females gained approximately 2.5 years in total life expectancy, including around 1.0 additional year in full health.²
How life expectancy changed from 2003 to 2024
|
Measure |
Males |
Females |
|
Additional years of life |
+3.5 |
+2.5 |
|
Additional years in full health |
+2.3 |
+1.0 |
|
Additional years in ill health |
+1.2 |
+1.5 |
This doesn't mean Australians are necessarily becoming less healthy.
It means improvements in longevity have been accompanied by increases in both healthy years and years lived with the effects of disease or injury.
The AIHW found that the proportion of life spent in full health remained relatively stable between 2003 and 2024.²
So while Australians are living longer, the balance between healthy years and total years hasn't changed dramatically.
That's why looking at life expectancy alone can give us an incomplete picture.
Why Does the Difference Matter?
Imagine two people who both live to 85.
Their total lifespans are the same.
But their experiences could be completely different.
One might spend many years travelling, gardening, enjoying hobbies and participating in community activities.
Another might experience significant health limitations that affect everyday activities.
Of course, real life is more complicated than these examples.
People living with health conditions or disabilities can still enjoy meaningful, fulfilling lives.
And good health doesn't guarantee happiness or independence.
But the comparison illustrates why researchers look beyond the number of years someone lives.
The experience of those years matters too.
This brings us to a broader idea: healthy ageing.
Healthy Ageing Is About More Than Reaching a Certain Birthday
The World Health Organization describes healthy ageing in terms of maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.³
That might sound technical, but the meaning is surprisingly practical.
It's about having the abilities, opportunities and support to participate in everyday life.
Think about:
- Getting around your neighbourhood
- Preparing and enjoying meals
- Spending time with family and friends
- Learning something new
- Making decisions about your life
- Participating in hobbies and community activities
Healthy ageing isn't about looking younger.
It also isn't about doing everything independently without assistance.
Someone may use mobility aids, accessible transport or support services and still participate meaningfully in the activities they value.
The focus is on living well, whatever that looks like for the individual.
What Can We Actually Do in Everyday Life?
Population statistics can tell us a lot about Australia.
But they don't provide a personalised plan for any one person.
What they can do is encourage us to think about everyday habits and the environments that shape our lives.
Here are four areas worth considering.
1. Make Movement Part of Everyday Life
Physical activity doesn't have to mean going to the gym every day.
Movement can take many forms.
Walking.
Swimming.
Cycling.
Gardening.
Dancing.
Playing with children or grandchildren.
The World Health Organization recommends regular physical activity for adults, with activities adapted to individual abilities and circumstances.⁴
For older adults, its guidance also includes muscle-strengthening and balance-focused activities.
But a useful starting point is simply asking:
"How can I include more movement in a way that fits my day?"
That might mean walking during a lunch break, taking part in a local activity or finding something active that you genuinely enjoy.
The most appropriate activity will depend on your abilities, preferences and circumstances.
2. Don't Forget About Strength
When people think about physical activity, walking often comes to mind first.
But muscle-strengthening activities are another part of physical activity guidance.
These can include resistance exercises, weight training and appropriately adapted bodyweight movements.
Strength-focused activities don't have to be complicated or competitive.
They can be adjusted according to experience and ability.
For people who are new to exercise or have health concerns, guidance from a qualified professional can help identify appropriate activities.
The point isn't to achieve a particular appearance.
It's to recognise that physical activity includes more than just getting your steps in.
3. Eat a Variety of Everyday Foods
Nutrition is another important part of the healthy-ageing conversation.
But it doesn't need to become a search for one perfect ingredient.
Australia's Dietary Guidelines encourage eating a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups.⁵
These include:
Vegetables and Legumes
Different vegetables, beans, lentils and chickpeas can add variety to everyday meals.
Fruit
Fresh, frozen and other appropriate fruit options can be included according to preference and availability.
Grain Foods
Wholegrain and higher-fibre varieties are encouraged as part of a balanced eating pattern.
Protein-Containing Foods
Examples include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese and Alternatives
These can be included according to individual dietary preferences, with appropriately fortified alternatives available.
The important idea is variety.
Different foods contain different combinations of nutrients.
Rather than focusing on one ingredient, think about the range of foods appearing across your week.
Why Food Variety Matters More Than One “Superfood”
It's easy to become distracted by headlines about the latest ingredient.
The best food for longevity.
The secret to staying young.
The one thing everyone should eat after 50.
But everyday nutrition isn't built around one supposedly perfect food.
Consider a few familiar examples.
Eggs provide protein and other nutrients.
Lentils contain plant protein, fibre and naturally occurring minerals.
Yoghurt can contribute calcium and protein.
Vegetables and fruit provide different combinations of nutrients and fibre.
Nuts and seeds add further variety.
Each food brings something different.
That's why the overall eating pattern is more useful to consider than a single ingredient in isolation.
A simple question to ask is:
"Am I eating a varied range of foods, or relying on the same few meals every day?"
You don't necessarily need a complete dietary overhaul.
Sometimes variety starts with trying a different vegetable, rotating your protein sources or experimenting with a new recipe.
4. Make Time for Meaningful Connections
Healthy ageing isn't only about physical activity and food.
Our relationships and communities also shape everyday wellbeing.
The WHO recognises building and maintaining relationships as part of functional ability.³
That might involve:
- Meeting friends for coffee
- Spending time with family
- Joining a local community group
- Participating in a hobby
- Volunteering
- Keeping in touch with people who matter to you
Meaningful connection doesn't have to involve a large social circle.
For some people, a few close relationships are more important than frequent social events.
The important thing is having opportunities for the relationships and activities that bring meaning to life.
Where Does Nutra Nourished Beef Liver Fit In?
When discussing food variety, it's worth remembering that traditional food cultures have often included a wider range of animal-derived ingredients than the familiar cuts of meat commonly purchased today.
One example is beef liver.
Organ meats such as liver have been eaten in different cultures for generations.
However, beef liver isn't something everyone regularly prepares at home.
Some people enjoy traditional liver dishes.
Others aren't particularly keen on the flavour or texture.
And some simply prefer not to cook organ meat.
That's where different food formats become relevant.
Nutra Nourished Beef Liver Capsules
Nutra Nourished Beef Liver Capsules contain Australian grass-fed and grass-finished beef liver in a convenient capsule format.
Each bottle contains 120 capsules, with four capsules providing 2,000 mg of beef liver according to the product's serving information.
There's no cooking, mixing or measuring required.
For people interested in including beef liver as a traditional food-derived ingredient, the capsule format provides another option.
Food-Derived Ingredient, Convenient Format
It's important to keep the distinction clear.
Nutra Nourished Beef Liver Capsules aren't being presented as a medicine or as a product that extends lifespan, prevents age-related conditions or improves physical function.
They're simply beef liver presented in a pre-measured capsule format.
And they aren't a replacement for a varied diet.
Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and other familiar foods still have their place in everyday eating.
The format is a matter of preference.
The bigger nutritional picture remains the same: variety matters.
Healthy Ageing Isn't Something We Can Measure With One Number
Life expectancy is useful.
Healthy life expectancy adds another layer.
But neither figure can capture every aspect of someone's life.
Population averages don't tell us about a person's relationships, interests, opportunities or daily experiences.
They also don't tell us whether someone has access to affordable food, safe places to exercise, appropriate healthcare or supportive communities.
These factors can influence opportunities for healthy ageing.
That's why healthy ageing isn't simply a matter of individual discipline.
It's also shaped by the environments and circumstances in which people live.
And it's why the goal shouldn't be to compare ourselves against a national average.
Averages describe populations.
They don't define what a meaningful life looks like for an individual.
Four Questions Worth Asking About Your Routine
Rather than becoming overly focused on how many years you might live, consider a few practical questions.
Am I Moving in Ways I Enjoy?
Think about activities that suit your abilities and lifestyle.
Am I Making Room for Strength and Balance Activities?
Consider whether these are part of your routine, with appropriate guidance where needed.
Am I Eating a Variety of Foods?
Look at the vegetables, fruit, grains and protein-containing foods you eat across the week.
Am I Staying Connected to What Matters?
Make time for relationships, interests and activities that are meaningful to you.
These aren't guarantees of a particular health outcome.
They're simply useful ways to think about everyday life beyond the numbers.
So, Are Aussies Actually Getting Healthier?
The answer depends on what we mean by healthier.
If we're talking about living longer, Australia's long-term life expectancy figures show improvement.
If we're talking about the number of years lived in full health, those have increased too.
But if we're asking whether Australians are spending a greater proportion of their lives in full health, the AIHW's 2003–2024 findings suggest that proportion has remained relatively stable.²
So the story isn't simply that Australians are getting healthier or less healthy.
It's that we're living longer, gaining healthy years and also spending more years living with the effects of disease or injury.
That's a more nuanced picture.
And an important one.
The Takeaway: Make the Years Count
Living longer is something worth celebrating.
But the number of years we live is only one part of the story.
Healthy ageing is also about having opportunities to move, connect, learn, participate and enjoy everyday life.
That doesn't require a perfect routine.
And it certainly doesn't require trying to look younger.
Instead, it encourages us to think about the things that make our lives meaningful.
Our relationships.
Our activities.
Our everyday food choices.
Our communities.
And the opportunities we have to keep doing what matters to us.
Because ageing well isn't simply about adding more years to life.
It's also about making the years count.
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