Early deaths are still declining globally, with life expectancy increasing by 20 years

A report from The Lancet on infectious and non-infectious diseases, shows early deaths are decreasing overall.

The number of New Zealanders dying from heart disease, our leading cause of death, was above the global average in 1990 but has now fallen below current averages.

The data shows key health improvements here, over the past few decades.

However across the Tasman, Australia's seeing larger drops in deaths, and other impacts of diseases.