Cause-Specific Loss of Life Expectancy from PM2.5 in Australia: A Public Health, Socio-Economic, and Regional Assessment

The project aims to produce a comprehensive assessment of PM2.5-related cause-specific health impacts across socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic groups in Australia, and to translate these findings into policy-relevant insights, targeted intervention guidance, and accessible communication tools that support government decision making, public understanding, and community action on unsafe air.

This objective of the project is to:
1. Quantify life-years lost (LYL) attributable to PM2.5 for all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and other causes of death across Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4), Greater Capital City Statistical Areas (GCCSAs), and state levels, disaggregated, including assessment of temporal trends and spatial patterns over 2001–2020.
2. Assess socio-economic inequalities by linking PM2.5-related life expectancy with Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) to identify disadvantaged communities and population groups facing disproportionate health impacts, and to provide insights into associated economic implications.
3. Generate policy-relevant evidence to inform public health planning, air quality and smoke-risk management, and targeted policy actions that reduce exposure to unsafe air and advance health equity.
4. Develop accessible tools and communication resources that translate evidence into clear, actionable messages, supporting informed decision-making and effective risk communication for policy, practice, and community audiences.