Funding provided by the Australian Research Council as a 2021-25 Discovery Project Grant to Vladimir Canudas-Romo and Annette Erlangsen. 

Mental or physical disorders shorten people’s life spans. Yet, previous attempts at assessing life expectancy of people with disorders have failed at addressing the fact that diseases occur at different ages. This project resolves this methodological shortcoming and develops precision metrics, which will be used to determine trends of mental health or physical disorders that affect Australians. By analysing national linkage data, we will identify gaps in longevity between those diagnosed and the general population. The outcomes of this project will inform people with disorders, healthcare providers and decision-makers regarding exact life expectancies and, thereby, generate information on diseases, which ought to be addressed more comprehensively. Thus, supporting all levels of the health system to improve quality of life for those suffering from health disorders. The findings from this project will provide critical insights into the recent gains and losses in Australian life expectancy of populations diagnosed disorders; which will help in establishing priorities for coming public health efforts.

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