The Health Lies in Wealth report shows the poorest of Australians dying three years earlier than the wealthiest.

The recently released report indicates a three year life expectancy gap between people ranked in the lowest 20 percent of the socio-economic ladder compared with those in the top 20 percent. It also highlighted the importance of household income, work status, education level, and support networks in maintaining physical well-being.

The Catholic Health Australia (CHA) commissioned report also reveals 65 percent of Australians in the lowest income group report a long-term health problem compared with merely 15 percent of the most wealthy.

Through ABC Radio, CHA chief executive Martin Laverty explained “the report indicates whether or not you completed school is a better predictor of if you will die of cardiovascular death than cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking combined.”

Laverty emphasized the results “quite conclusively (reminds) us that income and socio-economic status unfortunately have a real impact on a person's health... Hospital reform is essential ... but we must also focus outside of the hospital door.”

The health group chief is pushing for improved schooling and welfare support in order to reduce inequality. In the report, a shift in thinking about health reforms being associated with hospitals and health care practitioners to “vibrant childhoods, good schooling, satisfying work lives, and fairness in income.”