Life Expectancy trends

[Doc Alan]

Global life expectancy for children born in 2015 was was over 71 years ( ~ 74 years for females / ~ 69 years for males ) - according to World Health Organization ( WHO ; http://bit.ly/1suO6jP ).


An individual child’s outlook does depend on WHERE he or she is born - 29 high income countries have average life expectancy of 80 years ( + ) ; newborns in 22 sub-Saharan African countries may expect less than 60 years.


Life expectancy has increased by 5 years since 2000. Healthy life expectancy - one measure of the number of years of GOOD health - is ~ 63 years globally ( females ~ 65 / males ~ 61.5 ).


Clearly these statistics - while of use in trying to improve health - VARY in reliability, depending on the countries providing them. For example, about half of deaths globally aren’t registered. They are of interest as a guide to health around the world - but ONLY as best estimates.


We also know there are inequalities in access to health services WITHIN countries - between a country’s poorest residents, national average, and best available - such as reproductive, maternal and child health services in the Philippines.


" Top 5 " countries with the longest years of life expectancies :-

JAPAN ~ 84 ( 87 Female / 80.5 Male ; “ HALE “ or Healthy Life Expectancy = 75 )
SWITZERLAND ~ 83 ( 85 F / 81 M ; HALE 73 )
SINGAPORE ~ 83 ( 86 F / 80 M ; HALE 74 )
AUSTRALIA ~ 83 ( 85 F / 81 M ; HALE 72 )
SPAIN ~ 83 ( 85.5 F / 80 M ; HALE 72 ).

" Bottom 5 " :-

COTE D’IVOIRE ~ 53 ( 54 F / 52 M ; HALE 47 )
CHAD ~ 53 ( 54.5 F / 52 M ; HALE 46 )
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC ~ 52.5 ( 54 F / 51 M ; HALE 46 )
ANGOLA ~ 52 ( 54 F / 51 M ; HALE 46 )
SIERRA LEONE ~ 50 ( 51 F / 49 M ; HALE 44 ).

In between :-

PHILIPPINES ~ 68.5 ( 72 F / 65 M ; HALE 61 )
UNITED KINGDOM ~ 81 ( 83 F / 79 M ; HALE 71 ).


Also from this report, around the world, every year :-

~ 300,000 women die due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth ; 6 million children die before their fifth birthday;

~ 2 million newly infected with HIV ; ~ 10 million new TB cases ;

~ 10 million die before 70 from cardiovascular disease and cancers;

~ 1.25 million die from road traffic injuries.

Risk factors contributing to diseases :-

~ 1 billion smoke tobacco;

~ 2 billion drink contaminated water.

While we can’t know precise figures, knowing the approximate numbers DOES help decide and achieve various " Millenium Development " and " Sustainable Development " Goals.


The ultimate aim is to " ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages " with " universal health coverage ". We live in hope .

[bigmarco]

Interesting stuff Doc
I did notice that the gap between Female and Male life expectancy in The Philippines was larger than most other countries show. Any particular reason

[Michael Parnham]

Really interesting, I have a life plan for the next twenty five years because there's lots to do yet. Thank you Alan

[Steve.r]

Nice post Alan

[SimonH]

Interesting reading as usual from you.
Thanks Alan

[mickcant]

At my approaching 72, I am pleased to have been born in the UK, and of course never having smoked
Mick.

[Doc Alan]

Thank you for your interest, Marco, Michael, Steve, Simon and Mick .


Women DO have greater life expectancy at birth than men in all countries - the " gender gap " varies from ~ 4 - ~ 10 years.

Reasons are not fully understood ( http://bit.ly/22n6EPH ).

Women die at lower rates than men from most of the top causes of death ( except Alzheimer’s disease ), although their overall healthy life expectancy may not be so good. Suggested factors include women having a better immune system, two X chromosomes, and hormone differences.

Whatever the causes, the difference STILL exists - and has been seen at all times and everywhere as long as good records exist.

One factor of note in the Philippines is that far more adult males smoke than females ( ~ 2/5 compared to ~ 1/10 ; total ~ 1/4 ). In the UK ~ 1/5 male and female adults still smoke.

Life expectancy at age 65 for men in the UK is now ~ 18 years ; for women ~ 21 years. The difference has decreased in the past 30 years. If they survive, even at 85 a man has a life expectancy of ~ 6 years, and for a woman ~ 7 years ( http://bit.ly/1Twhddz ).

[Terpe]

I get closer to my average each year

Sometimes I feel it

Just so thankful to still enjoy life to the max