The Lancet Series reveals significant disparities in male life expectancy between eastern and western Europe, with a gap of over 40 years. Public health policies are also at risk due to EU law's influence from industry and pro-business stances.
A study found that adults who experience a stroke before age 50 have a significantly higher risk of death over the next 20 years compared to the general population. The researchers also noted that patients who survive their first 30 days after ischemic stroke are at an increased risk of mortality throughout subsequent decades.
Research by University of Pennsylvania doctoral candidate Jessica Ho reveals that excess mortality among Americans younger than 50 accounts for much of the US life-expectancy shortfall. Noncommunicable diseases, such as pregnancy complications and drug overdoses, are key factors contributing to this gap.
The large-scale antiretroviral treatment (ART) program in rural South Africa has led to a rapid and dramatic increase in population adult life expectancy, with gains observed in both men and women. The benefit of providing ART far outweighs the cost, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of $1593 per life year saved.
A recent study published in The BMJ suggests that cancer screening for patients with a life expectancy of less than 10 years may not be beneficial. The researchers analyzed data from five breast and four colorectal cancer trials, finding that the benefits of screening often outweigh the risks. However, they also emphasize that individu...
A Danish study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV patients who smoke lose more years of life to smoking than to HIV infection. Researchers estimated the effect of smoking on mortality and life expectancy among nearly 3,000 HIV-infected patients treated in Denmark from 1995 to 2010.
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 found that people worldwide view different health conditions similarly, regardless of culture or individual circumstances. The study used surveys to calculate disability weights and healthy life expectancy, revealing that global population is living longer but spending more years in poor health.
Global life expectancy has increased by 11.1 years for men and 12.1 years for women since 1970. Notable gains in life expectancy have been observed in the Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, and Peru. However, some countries, such as Haiti, Lesotho, Belarus, and Ukraine, have experienced significant declines due to various factors like...
A new study found an association between reduced fine particulate matter and increased life expectancy in US counties from 2000 to 2007. Reducing air pollution levels may be more beneficial for women, with a stronger link in urban areas.
Eileen Crimmins, PhD, receives the Robert W. Kleemeier Award for her research on socioeconomic factors and life expectancy. She is recognized as an internationally acclaimed expert on aging, focusing on genetic influences, trends in mortality, morbidity, and disability
A study by University of Illinois Chicago researcher S. Jay Olshansky found that Americans with lower levels of education have life expectancies similar to those in the 1950s and 1960s. Highly educated individuals live significantly longer, with the most educated white men living 14 years longer than the least educated black men.
A large-scale study found that people with mental health problems have a lower life expectancy due to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Even minor symptoms of anxiety or depression are associated with higher mortality rates.
Restricting daily sitting time to less than 3 hours and watching TV for less than 2 hours a day may extend US life expectancy by 2 and 1.4 years respectively, according to an analysis of published research in BMJ Open.
A new study by Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder found that US life expectancy has stagnated over the past century, with the poorest citizens living approximately five years less than more affluent persons. The study also found that despite moderate gains in coming years, the US still trails its developed counte...
Women who exercise regularly and eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables have a significantly longer life expectancy than those who don't. The study found that the most physically active and fruit/vegetable-consumption groups were eight times more likely to survive a five-year period, with death rates being up to 71% lower.
A survey of primary care doctors found that many resist stopping routine PSA testing due to patient expectations and malpractice concerns. Researchers are working on a decision-making tool to help doctors make informed choices about prostate cancer screening.
A study of 434,190 individuals in Taiwan found that exercise can help smokers quit and reduce the risk of heart attack. Regular physical activity increased life expectancy by 3.7 years among smokers.
The European Union experienced some convergence in health expectancies between 2008-2010, with Lithuania showing the largest gain and Sweden having the longest life expectancy. Men generally live shorter lives than women, but experience a slightly higher proportion of healthy life years.
A Queen's University study suggests that people's life expectancy expectations can shape their major life choices, such as getting married, having children, or seeking divorce. The research is based on population data from Statistics Canada and supports the idea that life history theory influences human decision-making.
A Princeton University study found that socioeconomic differences account for 80% of the life-expectancy divide between black and white men, and 70% for women. Socioeconomic factors such as income and education are significant contributors to the racial gap in mortality.
Research at Yale University reveals that prostate cancer treatment is often not necessary for older men with short life expectancy. The study found that cancer treatment became more common among men with moderate-risk tumors and shorter life expectancies, despite being unlikely to benefit from it.
Researchers found that states with smaller disparities often had white populations living shorter lives than average, while African Americans lived longer. The study highlights the need to improve health outcomes for African Americans across all states, not just those with large disparities.
Patients treated with diuretic chlorthalidone had significantly lower death rates and longer life expectancy compared to placebo, according to a study published in JAMA. The researchers found that long-term antihypertensive therapy was associated with 1 day prolongation of life expectancy free from cardiovascular death per month.
A new study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) provides only a modest increase in life expectancy among women with unilateral breast cancer. The surgery may actually reduce quality-adjusted life expectancy for patients without hereditary factors.
A study by University of Illinois at Chicago demographer S. Jay Olshansky found that most US presidents live longer than expected for men of their same age and era. On average, a president's lifespan was 79.8 years during the first eight presidencies
A new study found that having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini stroke, can reduce life expectancy by 20 percent. Patients experiencing a TIA have a high risk of early stroke and an increased risk of future problems that may reduce life expectancy.
The UK and Norway are among European countries taking a leading role in improving social determinants of health. The WHO European Region has set up a review to address the growing health divide, which shows vast differences in life expectancy within and between countries.
Research shows playing street football two to three times a week can halve the risk of early death in homeless men. The study found improvements in aerobic fitness, cholesterol, body fat, and blood pressure.
A long-term study found that even mild cognitive impairment substantially increases the risk of death, with a strong impact comparable to other chronic diseases. The study, which followed nearly 4,000 patients over 13 years, suggests that recognition of cognitive impairment in primary care practices should be given higher priority.
Rapid declines in infectious disease and stroke mortality enabled by salt reduction campaigns, improved healthcare technologies, and universal health insurance coverage have contributed to Japan's exceptional longevity. The country faces new challenges due to an aging population and rising healthcare costs.
European women outlive men by an average of 6 years, with a higher proportion dying from cardiovascular diseases, while smoking and drinking habits contribute to the gender gap in life expectancy
Researchers found that life expectancy in deprived areas of Brazil increased at three times the rate of more affluent areas, narrowing the gap to 4.2 years by 2005. This decline in social inequalities in life expectancy corresponds to a significant increase in life expectancy between deprived and affluent areas.
A study published in The Lancet found that just 15 minutes of daily physical activity can reduce the risk of death by 14% and increase life expectancy by 3 years. This benefit applies to all age groups and both sexes, with a significant reduction in mortality rates from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Watching TV for six hours a day may shorten life expectancy by almost five years, according to research. Sedentary behavior is associated with a higher risk of death from heart attack or stroke, and TV viewing accounts for substantial sedentary activity.
A new study from Loma Linda University found that excess body fat in elderly individuals decreases life expectancy. Maintaining a normal weight between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered ideal, while overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk of mortality.
A study suggests that middle-aged American health disparities contribute to a life expectancy gap with Europeans. By improving middle-age health, the US could save $632 billion by 2050 through reduced healthcare costs.
Researchers found that testing for Lynch Syndrome in all colorectal cancer patients is cost-effective and can help identify families at risk. Antiretroviral therapy also increased life expectancy for HIV patients in Africa to nearly normal levels, with men showing lower survival rates than women. In contrast, low health literacy was li...
A large-scale study reveals that patients in Africa receiving cART for HIV can expect a near-normal lifespan, with females living longer than males. Early initiation of treatment is associated with longer life expectancy, highlighting the need for continued investment in HIV programming.
A new study found that people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes can expect to live up to 15 years longer than previously thought. The study, published in the American Diabetes Association's 71st Scientific Sessions, analyzed data from a 30-year prospective study and found a significant improvement in life expectancy among participants.
A new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation finds that most US counties are falling behind the world's healthiest nations in terms of life expectancy. The study found significant disparities in life expectancy across the US, with women living longer than men in some areas but facing worse outcomes in others.
Brazil's unique national health service has improved health outcomes, but socioeconomic disparities and regional inequalities remain. The authors emphasize the need for coordinated action among government, private sector, academia, and civil society to address these challenges and secure universal access to healthcare.
New research by Dr Elissaios Papyrakis and Dr Geethanjali Selvaretnam suggests that religious organisations should highlight social and spiritual benefits to attract younger members. The study found that life expectancy discourages young people from participating in religion, leading to older congregations.
Life expectancy is increasing in the UK and Europe, driven by declines in cardiovascular disease deaths. However, the East-West gap remains entrenched, and many questions about the drivers of these trends remain unanswered.
A new study by Erik Trinkaus suggests that early modern humans and Neanderthals had similar adult mortality patterns, with no evidence of a longevity advantage for modern humans. This challenges the theory that Neanderthal shorter life expectancy contributed to their demise.
A study of 9 studies found that higher walking speeds were linked to increased survival time in older adults. Gait speed was most informative after age 75, with faster speeds corresponding to longer expected remaining life.
A new report commissioned by The National Academy on an Aging Society finds that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy than those without the disease. The analysis, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study, reveals a significant increase in diabetes prevalence among boomers and seniors.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University researcher finds that Israeli's have a higher life expectancy on average than Americans and residents of other OECD countries. Life expectancy for Israelis has increased significantly since 1980, with Jews and Arabs living noticeably longer than Americans.
Germany has made significant progress in bridging the gap between East and West in social determinants of health, with women enjoying the same life expectancy. The Charité and Humboldt University are being celebrated for their contributions to Germany's golden age of scientific discovery and medical leadership.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that the US life expectancy has fallen behind other countries despite high health spending. The researchers attribute this failure to flaws in the overall healthcare system, including unregulated fee-for-service payments and reliance on specialty care.
A Commonwealth Fund study found that US life expectancy has declined relative to other developed nations, despite higher healthcare spending. The researchers attribute the decline to flaws in the US healthcare system, including unregulated fee-for-service payments and reliance on specialty care.
Living longer and healthier is possible due to public health efforts and improved medical interventions. However, the aging process itself, including dementia and heart disease, remains largely unchanged, with a steady risk of death after age 110.
A new study estimates that smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose, and overweight/obesity reduce life expectancy in the US by 4.9 years for men and 4.1 years for women. The four risk factors account for significant disparities in life expectancy across different racial and socioeconomic groups.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that four risk factors - smoking, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity - contribute to a significant reduction in life expectancy among US populations, with disparities worsening among certain groups
A study published by University of Chicago researchers found that men can expect another 15 years of sexual activity at age 55, while women expect less than 11 years. The study also introduced a new health measure, 'sexually active life expectancy,' which was lower for both men and women.
A study by a VCU researcher found that areas with high household incomes have better schools and healthier community conditions, despite being more affluent. The analysis of Virginia data showed that nearly half of deaths in disadvantaged areas could be averted if mortality rates existed statewide.
The Marmot Review advocates for proportionate universalism to address health inequalities, emphasizing fairness and social justice. By reducing health disparities, England could gain up to 2.5 million extra years of life, highlighting the importance of addressing socio-economic inequalities.
A computerized model estimates that most morbidly obese individuals would live longer if they had gastric bypass surgery. The model suggests younger patients with higher BMIs tend to gain more life expectancy from the procedure.
A study by University of Michigan and Harvard researchers found that despite declines in smoking rates, the US population is experiencing a rise in obesity, which is overtaking the health benefits gained from quitting smoking. The study suggests that if current trends continue, nearly half of the population will be obese by 2020.
The new guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify riluzole as a treatment that can slow disease progression in ALS patients. Using an assisted-breathing device is also expected to increase life expectancy and quality of life for these patients.
Preliminary evidence suggests that shortened working weeks may further extend increases in life expectancy and health. Disability prevalence has been falling, with increasing evidence suggesting that people are living better despite an increase in chronic diseases.