WA’s healthiest suburbs: Cambridge, Canning, Claremont, Cottesloe, Gosnells, Murray, Mosman Park, Nedlands

Cottesloe, Gosnells and Mosman Park were among the suburbs revealed as WA’s healthiest places to live in a recent study.

New research by insurance company AIA Australia uncovered the nation’s 45 healthiest local government areas.

The study revealed residents in these areas live up to eight years longer than the national average and visit public hospitals one-third less than the rest of the country for general admissions.

WA and South Australia both had nine local government areas on the list, followed by New South Wales with 13.

Cambridge, Canning, Claremont, Cottesloe, Gosnells, Murray, Mosman Park, Nedlands, and Perth were revealed as WA’s most physically and mentally healthy local government areas.

According to the report, the 45 healthiest zones also collectively save the public hospital system an estimated $371.4 million each year.

People in these areas are less likely to have a chronic condition or die from a “potentially avoidable death”.

The study found the median age of death of residents in the local government areas — referred to as “AIA Vitality Zones” — was 83.4 years compared to the national average of 75.2 years.

According to the study people living in the AIA vitality zones are 30 per cent less likely to report living with a long-term lung condition, 30 per cent less likely to report living with diabetes and 14 per cent less likely to report having kidney or heart disease.

AIA acknowledged a combination of socio-economic and positive lifestyle habits helped elevate the local government areas.

The research showed residents in these areas are more likely to engage in physical activity, prep nutritious meals at home, regularly visit a health care provider and connect with the community.

“Thirty-eight per cent of AIA Vitality Zone residents engage in moderate-intensity exercise (activities such as brisk walking, biking, or swimming that elevate the heart rate by over 50 per cent) three-to-four days per week — six percentage points higher than the national average,” the report said.

AIA Australia chief executive officer Damien Mu said the research results highlight the impact lifestyles have on health, quality of life and longevity.

“Residents in AIA Vitality Zones are not just living longer, but they are living healthier, meaning they can continue working and enjoy hobbies and time with family and friends,” Mr Mu added.

Factors such as socio-economic advantages, access to health care and education did impact the study.

The AIA report points out 37 out of the 45 local government areas had a socio-economic index (SEIFA) score of over 1,000.