The life expectancy of some of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups could soon improve under a new government-backed public health centre. 

While the average Australian’s life expectancy is considered quite high, Indigenous Australians and those with little education can expect to die about eight years earlier.

Meanwhile, people who live in rural areas will die around two to three years earlier than those who live in the city.

But the Grattan Institute says a Centre for Disease Control promised by the government could change that if there’s a focus on disease prevention.

“We mean things like heart disease, diabetes and cancer,” Grattan Institute associate Lachlan Fox told Sofie Formica.

“We know there’s more we can be doing to prevent them before they start because a lot of them are caused by risk factors that we can change.”

Press PLAY below to hear how the centre could help 

Image: Getty